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The Washington Nationals (20-22) and Philadelphia Phillies (31-14) begin a 3-game series Friday with 1st pitch from Citizens Bank Park slated for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Nationals vs. Phillies odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Phillies lead 2-1
The Nationals dropped their series finale against the Chicago White Sox 2-0 on Wednesday. They were shut out the final 2-games of this series in Chicago against a team that allows nearly 5 runs per game. Washington got a solid starting performance from LHP Patrick Corbin, who allowed 2 ER over 5 2/3 IP. The Nats have lost 4 of their last 5 games.
Philadelphia had its 3-game win streak snapped by the New York Mets on Thursday, 6-5 in 11 innings. 2B Bryson Stott pushed the game to extra innings with a game tying RBI single in the bottom of the 9th. Phillies closer LHP Jose Alvarado took the loss after allowing an RBI single to DH J.D. Martinez, who scored the winning run on a wild pitch. The Phillies are 1-1 during their current 9-game homestand.
Nationals at Phillies projected starters
RHP Jake Irvin vs. RHP Zack Wheeler
Irvin (2-3, 3.55 ERA) makes his 9th start. He has a 1.09 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9 and 7.1 K/9 in 45 2/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 7 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 6 K in 4-2 loss at the Boston Red Sox Saturday
- Last start vs Phillies: Loss, 6 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K in 5-2 loss at home on April 6
Wheeler (4-3, 2.53 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 0.99 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 11.0 K/9 in 53 1/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 2 K in 7-6 road loss against the Miami Marlins Sunday
- 2023 vs. Nationals: 2-1, 7.48 ERA, 21 2/3 IP, 29 H, 18 ER, 2 BB, 20 K in 4 starts
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Nationals at Phillies odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday 11:51 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nationals +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Phillies -270 (bet $270 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Nationals +1.5 (+104) | Phillies -1.5 (-125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Nationals at Phillies picks and predictions
Prediction
Phillies 5, Nationals 1
Moneyline.
PASS.
The Nationals are struggling at the plate and I see that continuing on Friday night in Philadelphia against Wheeler. I like the Phillies (-270), but I’m not going to bet nearly 3 units to win 1 back. I’ll save my wager for the run line.
Run line/Against the spread
BET PHILLIES -1.5 (-125).
Philadelphia has the best record in baseball and for good reason, they are a really good team. Their lineup is stacked top to bottom and they are 20-6 against right-handed pitching this season. They already got a good look at Irvin and put up 4 ER against him.
The Nationals have scored 0 runs in their last 19 innings. Prior to his struggles against the Marlins in his last start, Wheeler had allowed just 1 ER over his 4 previous starts (25 1/3 IP).
The Phillies run differential on the season is +70, so they aren’t just beating teams, they are throttling them. Philadelphia has won 15 of their last 20 games.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 7.5 (-115).
I really wanted to like the Over in this game since the Phillies have been Over in 6 of their last 7 games, but the Nationals lineup just has no pop. They have been Under in 5 of their last 6 games and were shut out in their last 2 games by a team with the 2nd-worst record in baseball. The last 4 meetings between these 2 teams the Under cashed.
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