The Philadelphia Phillies (12-14) go for a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals (11-17) at Nationals Park Thursday at 6:37 p.m. ET (on FOX). We analyze the Phillies-Nationals MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Wednesday: The Phillies won 3-2 with RF Bryce Harper delivering a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning to beat his former team. Philly has now won three in a row, while the defending champs have lost three in a row.
Phillies at Nationals: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Spencer Howard vs. RHP Max Scherzer
Howard: 0-1, 6.17 ERA (8 ER, 11 2/3 IP), 4 HR in 3 starts – made MLB debut Aug. 9
- Last start: No-decision, 3 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K at Toronto Blue Jays Aug. 20 – Phillies lost 3-2
- 2019: 3-1, 2.03 ERA. 94 K in 71 IP (15 games) for 4 different minor-league teams, the highest level being Double-A
- Career vs. Nationals: 0 appearances
Scherzer: 2-1, 4.31 ERA (31 1/3 IP, 15 ER), 44 K in 6 starts
- Last start: No-decision, 4 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 5K vs. Miami Marlins Saturday – Nationals won 5-4
- 2019 vs. Phillies: 2-1, 2.50 ERA (18 IP, 5 ER) 29 K in 3 starts
- Career vs. Phillies: 11-3, 2.62 ERA (130 2/3 IP, 38 ER) in 20 starts
Get some action on this game or any other matchup in the 2020 season with an MLB bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!
Phillies at Nationals: Key injuries
(Get the latest injury news here.)
Phillies
- RP Jose Alvarez (groin) out
- RF Jay Bruce (quadriceps) out
- SP Seth Romero (hand) out
Nationals
- 2B Starlin Castro (wrist) out
Also see: BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
Phillies at Nationals: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:28 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Phillies 7, Nationals 5
Moneyline (ML)
The PHILLIES (+160) are the play. One would think Scherzer is the perfect prescription to stop the Nationals’ skid, but Howard is actually the better pitcher coming into this one.
While Howard hasn’t made it into the sixth inning of any of his three starts, he has allowed only eight earned runs in total, including just one in his last start. Scherzer yielded four earned runs in his last outing and five two starts ago.
PHILLY’S +160 price is a great value vs. the struggling Nationals (-176).
New to sports betting? Every winning $1 bet on the Phillies ML will profit $1.60. It will take $1.76 to profit a $1 when backing the Nationals.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
PASS. Neither team has fared well vs. RL in 2020. The Phillies (+1.5, -134) are 10-16 vs. the RL overall and 4-7 on the road. The Nationals (-1.5, +110) are 11-17 vs. the RL and 5-11 vs. the RL at home.
Plus, Philly is 2-7 vs. the RL in its last nine games, while Washington is 2-6 in its last eight.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 9 (-110) is worth backing. Don’t expect too many runs early, but with two struggling bullpens, this should hit the Over in the final two frames. Philadelphia relievers rank last in the majors with a 7.52 ERA. Plus, the Nats boast an 11-2-1 O/U record in its last 14 games.
Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire. com.
| Johnny’s 2020 MLB record | 35-17-1 |
| 2020 overall record (all sports) | 75-45-2 |
| Strongest plays (all sports) | 37-18 |
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