The Washington Nationals (12-22) and Philadelphia Phillies (17-15) will wrap up a four-game series Thursday afternoon. First pitch from Citizens Bank Park will be at 4: 05 p.m. ET. We analyze the Nationals-Phillies betting odds and lines, with MLB picks and best bets.
Nationals at Phillies: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Anibal Sanchez vs. RHP Zach Eflin
Sanchez has started the year 1-4 with a 6.90 ERA and 23 strikeouts.
- Last season against the Phillies, Sanchez went 1-2 with a 3.95 ERA in five starts.
- The Nationals are only 1-5 in games started by Sanchez this season but were 17-13 in his starts last year.
Eflin is 2-1 with a 4.10 ERA and 37 strikeouts in five starts (26 1/3 innings).
- Eflin is averaging a career-high 12.6 K/9, nearly double his rate from last year (7.1).
- In his last two starts, Eflin is 2-0 with a 2.92 ERA.
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Nationals at Phillies: Key injuries
Get the latest injury news here.
Nationals
- 2B Starlin Castro (wrist) out
- RP Roenis Elias (elbow) out
Phillies
- RP Adam Morgan (shoulder) out
- 2B Scott Kingery (back) out
Nationals at Phillies: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:20 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Phillies 5, Nationals 3
Moneyline (ML)
The Nationals (+160) have lost five games in a row and have been shut out in consecutive games against the Phillies (-176). They’ve gone ice cold recently, even dropping two of three to the Boston Red Sox last week. It’s no surprise the Phillies are favored at home with Eflin on the mound, and that’s the way I’m leaning, too.
Give me the PHILLIES (-176), even with them being heavier favorites with lower reward.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The run line at BetMGM has the PHILLIES -1.5 (+105). Philadelphia has won three games in a row by at least two runs – all against the Nationals – and is 8-1 in its last nine games overall.
I love the upside with the PHILLIES giving up 1.5 runs and being plus-money, especially with Eflin on the mound. He’s been great in his last two outings and shouldn’t have much trouble with Washington.
Over/Under (O/U)
The Over/Under is 10 runs with both sides being -110. The total went under in each of the last two games between the Phillies and Nationals, and with Washington’s offense going cold, the Under should come in again Thursday.
The total has gone Under in six of the last seven meetings between these teams in Philly, too. Give me the UNDER 10 (-110).
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