Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals odds, picks and predictions
Season series: Phillies lead 4-2
The Phillies didn't have a lot of luck in Cincinnati in a 3-game set to kick off the week. After a 4-1 win in the road opener as short 'dogs (+115), Philadelphia lost back-to-back games with Cincinnati outscoring it 14-1 in a pair of games as a favorite. The Under went 2-0-1 in the 3-game set, and the total has gone low at a 4-0-1 clip in the past 5 games, while going 6-1-1 across the previous 8 outings.
In Wednesday's 8-0 loss, the Phillies were able to total just 3 hits, singles by SS Trea Turner and 2B Bryson Stott and a double from DH Kyle Schwarber, who struck out 3 times in 4 at-bats. As a team, the Phillies struck out 10 times while leaving 9 runners on base.
The Nationals were able to salvage the series finale in Kansas City on Wednesday, winning 8-7 as moderate underdogs (+150) as the Over (9) cashed for the third time in 3 games.
In Wednesday's win, the Nationals collected 10 hits, including RF Daylen Lile with 2 singles and 2 runs in 5 at-bats, while delivering the team's only 2-out RBI. 1B Nathaniel Lowe had the big blow with a grand slam in the first inning, as the Nats jumped out to a 5-0 lead. It led 7-3 heading to the bottom of the fourth inning, but the Royals tied it up 7-7 in the bottom of the eighth. Luckily, Washington's Lile had the 2-out RBI to drive in 2B Luis Garcia Jr. for the winning run.
Phillies at Nationals projected starters
LHP Jesus Luzardo vs. RHP Brad Lord
Luzardo (11-5, 4.20 ERA) makes his 25th start. He has a 1.35 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 10.2 K/9 through 133 innings.
Lord (3-6, 3.28 ERA) makes his 11th start and 40th appearance. The rookie has a 1.21 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 7.4 K/9 through 85 innings.
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Phillies at Nationals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:26 a.m. ET.
Phillies at Nationals picks and predictions
Phillies 4, Nationals 3
Moneyline
The Phillies (-210) will set you back more than 2 times your potential return, and betting those kind of favorites straight up should not be part of your long-term betting strategy. However, if you were to back Philadelphia, and include it as part of a multi-leg parlay, it would be OK to toss it in.
AVOID and look to the run line instead.
Run line/Against the spread
The NATIONALS +1.5 (+110) are worth a look at plus-money, if you'd like a little bit of insurance, and you can't back Washington straight up.
Lord has pitched well lately, although so has Luzardo for the Phillies. This should be a surprisingly well-pitched game in the national's capital, and a close game despite the disparity in records.
Over/Under
UNDER 8.5 (+100) is a strong play in this series opener.
While Washington cashed high in all 3 games in Kansas City, the Under is still 4-3-1 in the past 8 outings. The total is 4-4 in the past 8 games at Nationals Park, too.
For Philadelphia, the Under is 4-0-1 in the past 5 games, while going 6-1-1 in the previous 8 outings. On the road, the Under is 5-2-3 in the previous 10 games, too.
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