Phillies vs. Nationals Pick
The Philadelphia Phillies open up a four-game series Thursday night at the Washington Nationals. First pitch is 7:05PM EST.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Nationals are listed as a -162 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Phillies are a +141 underdog, while the over-under is set at 8.
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Pitching for the Phillies is Aaron Nola (10-10, 3.72 ERA), while the Nationals are going with Tanner Roark (11-9, 4.48). Nola carries a 1.22 WHIP with 148 strikeouts over 142 2/3 innings. He was lit up in a 10-9 loss at Miami his last start, giving up six earned runs on 10 hits with seven strikeouts and a walk over five innings. Nola has a 4.30 ERA in 12 road starts. Roark has a 1.32 WHIP with 141 strikeouts over 156 2/3 innings. He gave up one earned run on five hits with 10 strikeouts and a walk in seven innings his last start, a 1-0 loss at Milwaukee. Roark has a 3.84 ERA in 13 road starts.
Philadelphia has a 53-86 record and is 25-49 on the road, while Washington comes in at 85-54 and 40-27 at home. The Nationals have won six of the last 10 meetings and the total has gone under six times.
The Phillies lost two of three at the Mets including a 6-3 decision Wednesday. Cesar Hernandez led the way as he was 3-for-3 with a double and a run. Nick Williams hit a two-run homer. Nick Pivetta allowed six earned runs over five innings to take the loss. Washington won all three games at Miami, taking Wednesday’s contest 8-1 for its eighth straight win over the Marlins. Gio Gonzalez threw five shutout innings to get the win. Ryan Zimmerman was 3-for-5 with a home run, three runs and two RBIs to key the offense. Trea Turner went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs. Anthony Rendon was 2-for-4 with a walk, a run and an RBI. Michael Taylor finished 2-for-3 with a home run plus a walk.
Washington was on cruise control to wrap up its sweep at Miami, while Philadelphia stumbled at a team nearly as bad in the Mets. Roark has compiled a strong second half and should navigate through the Phillies lineup. Take the much better home team in the series opener.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: WASHINGTON NATIONALS -162