In this article we will formulate a Phillies vs Nationals prediction for this MLB game on Friday, August 22nd at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Philadelphia Phillies Betting Preview
The Philadelphia Phillies are 74-53 this season after they swept Seattle by scores of 12-7, 6-4, and 11-2. In their game three win, Philadelphia had their lead cut to 3-2 in the seventh inning, but scored eight runs in the next two innings to get the easy win. The Phillies recorded 20 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Schwarber, who went 3-5 with one home run and five RBIs in the win. Philadelphia started Luzardo, who allowed three hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings for the win, while Robertson and Banks picked up holds.
Prior to that series, the Phillies split four games with the Nationals and lost two out of three against the Reds. Philadelphia has won four games in a row and they are currently first in the NL East standings. The Philadelphia pitching staff has a 3.76 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP and a .243 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 604 runs with a .258 batting average and a .328 on base percentage this season. Kyle Schwarber has led Philadelphia with 45 home runs and 109 RBIs, while Nick Castellanos has added 16 home runs and 61 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Philadelphia is Taijuan Walker, who is 4-6 with a 3.34 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP over 91.2 innings pitched this season.
Washington Nationals Betting Preview
The Washington Nationals are 52-75 this year after they won two out of three against the Mets by scores of 1-8, 5-4, and 9-3. In their game three win, Washington trailed 3-0 in the fourth inning, but scored the final nine runs to pull away with the win. The Nationals recorded nine hits in the game and they were led by Wood, who went 1-5 with one home run and three RBIs in the win. Washington started Gore, who allowed six hits and three earned runs over 4.1 innings, while Rutledge picked up the win and Ferrer got the save.
Prior to that series, the Nationals split four games with the Phillies and lost two out of three against the Royals. Washington has won three of their last five games and they are currently last in the NL East standings. The Washington pitching staff has a 5.32 ERA with a 1.44 WHIP and a .271 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 546 runs with a .244 batting average and a .309 on base percentage this season. James Wood has led Washington with 26 home runs and 83 RBIs, while CJ Abrams has added 16 home runs and 50 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Cade Cavalli, who is 1-0 with a 2.20 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP over 16.1 innings pitched this year.
Why the Phillies will beat the Nationals
- The Nationals have lost each of their last six road games against NL East opponents following a home win.
- The Phillies have won seven of their last eight night games against the Nationals at Citizens Bank Park following a win.
- The Phillies have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games as home favorites against National League opponents.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in six of their last seven road games against the Phillies following a win.
- The Phillies have led after 3 innings in each of their last four night games.
- The Nationals have lost the first inning in three of their last four games at Citizens Bank Park against opponents that held a winning record.
- The Phillies have led after 5 innings in each of their last nine games as home favorites against NL East opponents.
Why the Nationals will beat the Phillies
- The Phillies have lost each of their last four games as favorites against National League opponents following a win.
- The Nationals have won three of their last four games as underdogs after playing the previous day.
- The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last eight road games against National League opponents following a home win.
- The Phillies have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games as favorites against National League opponents following a win.
- The Nationals have led after 5 innings in four of their last five road games.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Phillies’ last four games have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Each of the Nationals’ last three road games have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Nationals’ last eight road games.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Phillies’ last four games as home favorites against NL East opponents.
Philadelphia Phillies Player Prop Facts
- Kyle Schwarber has hit a home run in three of his last four home appearances against former teams.
- Taijuan Walker has recorded four or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances with the Phillies as home favorites.
- Alec Bohm has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 17 appearances in night games against NL teams that held a losing record.
- Trea Turner has recorded a Double in each of his four previous home appearances against the Nationals after not playing the previous day.
- Trea Turner ranks 1st in the league in Hits (158) this season.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- Paul DeJong has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances with the Nationals as underdogs against the Phillies.
- CJ Abrams has recorded a Double in three of his last four appearances against the Phillies.
- Keibert Ruiz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 appearances against the Phillies.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Phillies rank 2nd in the league for batting average this season (.258).
- The Phillies rank 2nd in the league for strikeouts this season (1166).
- The Nationals rank 29th in the league for ERA this season (5.32).
- The Nationals rank 29th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.271).
Phillies vs Nationals Prediction
Philadelphia comes into this series on a nice winning streak and they are leading the NL East standings, but they struggled last weekend with this Washington team. The Phillies are 40-21 at home this year, while the Nationals are 26-36 on the road. Washington has been very inconsistent this season and they are starting Cavalli, who has allowed four earned runs and 17 hits over 16.1 innings. Philadelphia is going with Walker, who has allowed two earned or fewer in four straight starts. Take the under in this contest with both of these pitchers showing promise.