The Washington Nationals (49-63) and the Philadelphia Phillies (61-51) open a 4-game series Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park. First pitch in Game 1 of Tuesday’s doubleheader is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Nationals vs. Phillies odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: tied 3-3
These teams were expected to open the 4-game set Monday, but Mother Nature had other plans. Monday’s postponed game is being made up as part of a doubleheader Tuesday.
Washington played with a little ‘Natitude’ over the weekend, sweeping a 3-game set from the Cincinnati Reds. The Nats have won 5 of the past 6 games overall, but Washington is still 14 games under .500 overall. The Under has cashed in 4 straight, and 6 of the past 7 outings.
Philadelphia took 2 of 3 games from the suddenly pesky Kansas City Royals at home over the weekend, and the Phillies are 5-2 across the past 7 games overall. Totally opposite of the Nats, the Over has cashed in 3 in a row, and 4 of the past 5 games for the Phils.
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Nationals at Phillies projected starters
RHP Trevor Williams vs. RHP Zack Wheeler
Williams (5-6, 4.72 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.49 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 6.5 K/9 in 108 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 4 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 4 BB, 2 K in 5-2 road loss vs. New York Mets on July 30
- 2023 road splits: 3-3, 5.02 ERA (57 1/3 IP, 32 ER – 14 HR), .305 opponent batting average (OBA) in 12 starts
Wheeler (8-5, 3.71 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.11 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 10.2 K/9 in 131 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 4 K in a 9-8 road loss in 12 innings vs. the Miami Marlins Wednesday
- 2023 home splits: 2-2, 4.03 ERA (60 1/3 IP, 27 ER – 7 HR), .226 OBA in 10 starts
Nationals at Phillies odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:28 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nationals +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Phillies -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Nationals +1.5 (+115) | Phillies -1.5 (-140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Nationals at Phillies picks and predictions
Prediction
Phillies 6, Nationals 4
Moneyline
The Phillies (-275) will cost you nearly 3 times your potential return, and that’s just way too much risk for not enough reward.
Plus, Philadelphia has had a difficult time with the Nationals (+220) this season, and Washington is playing pretty good ball lately, too.
PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
If things go according to plan, the PHILLIES -1.5 (-140) should be able to cover the run line in Game 1.
Williams has been very giving this season, coughing up 14 homers in 57 1/3 IP across 12 road outings. That’s bad news when playing in a bandbox like Citizens Bank Park. Expect the Philadelphia offense to come alive, especially with a wind blowing from left field to right field at 13-16 mph.
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Over/Under
OVER 9 (+100) is the lean, and remember the wind situation. Left-handed batters could see some wind-aided homers against the pitchers, especially Williams.
The Over is 6-2-1 in the past 9 meetings in this series and is 4-1 in Philadelphia’s last 5 games overall.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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