Nationals vs Phillies Prediction 8/16/25 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Nationals vs Phillies prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, August 16th at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

The Washington Nationals are 49-73 this season after they split the first two games in this series by scores of 3-2 and 2-6. In their game two loss, Washington tied the game at two in the fourth inning, but they failed to score in the last five innings for the loss. The Nationals recorded six hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Lile and Abrams, who both had one RBI in the loss. Washington started Gore, who allowed four hits and two earned runs over 6.0 innings, while Beeter picked up the loss in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Nationals lost two out of three against the Royals, but did win two out of three against the Giants before that. Washington has lost three of their last five games and they are currently last in the NL East standings. The Washington pitching staff has a 5.33 ERA with a 1.44 WHIP and a .271 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 520 runs with a .244 batting average and a .309 on base percentage this season. James Wood has led Washington with 25 home runs and 78 RBIs, while CJ Abrams has added 16 home runs and 48 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Cade Cavalli, who is 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP over 9.1 innings pitched this season. 

Philadelphia Phillies Betting Preview

The Philadelphia Phillies are 70-52 this year after they won game two in this series by a score of 6-2 on Friday. Philadelphia led 2-0 in the first inning, but they needed two runs in the seventh to escape with the victory. The Phillies recorded six hits in the game and they were led by Schwarber, who went 1-3 with one home run and three RBIs in the win. Philadelphia started Wheeler, who allowed four hits and two earned runs over 5.0 innings, while Banks picked up the win out of the bullpen.

Prior to this series, the Phillies lost two out of three against the Reds, but did win all three against the Rangers before that. Philadelphia has lost three of their last four games and they are currently first in the NL East standings. The Philadelphia pitching staff has a 3.72 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP and a .243 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 564 runs with a .253 batting average and a .324 on base percentage this season. Kyle Schwarber has led Philadelphia with 43 home runs and 101 RBIs, while Nick Castellanos has added 15 home runs and 60 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Philadelphia is Taijuan Walker, who is 4-5 with a 3.39 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP over 85.0 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Phillies will beat the Nationals

• The Nationals have lost eight of their last nine day games against NL East opponents.
• The Phillies have won four of their last five day games against National League opponents.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight day games following a home loss.
• The Phillies have covered the run line in three of their last four games as favorites against NL East opponents.
• The Nationals have trailed after 3 innings in eight of their last nine home day games.
• The Nationals have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last nine home day games.
• The Nationals have lost the first inning in four of their last five games as underdogs against NL East opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Nationals’ last four day games against NL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Fourteen of the Phillies’ last 18 day games against NL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Nationals’ last eight Saturday games against NL East opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 10 of the Phillies’ last 11 day games at Nationals Park.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• Keibert Ruiz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 appearances against the Phillies.
• CJ Abrams has hit a home run in each of the Nationals’ last two day games.
• CJ Abrams has recorded a Double in three of his last four appearances against the Phillies.

Philadelphia Phillies Player Prop Facts

• J.T. Realmuto has recorded a Double in six of his last seven appearances in day games.
• Bryce Harper has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 16 appearances in day games against NL teams that held a losing record.
• Taijuan Walker has recorded five or more strikeouts in three of his four previous appearances at Nationals Park.
• Kyle Schwarber has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances against former teams.

Nationals vs Phillies Prediction 

Philadelphia was able to snap their small losing streak with a win on Friday, but they are concerned about their closer, who was carted off on Friday night. The Phillies are 33-31 on the road this year, while the Nationals are 23-37 on the road. Washington continues to have pitching issues with their starters and the bullpen, and they are starting Cavalli, who allowed seven hits and four earned runs against KC last time out. Philadelphia is going with Walker, who has allowed a total of three earned runs in his last 17.0 innings of work. I am going to back the Phillies -1.5 once again here, as we continue to fade Washington’s pitching staff.