Phillies vs. Nationals Pick
Will the host Philadelphia Phillies post a victory when they open a series with the Washington Nationals Monday night? First pitch is at 7:05PM EST.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Phillies are listed as a -144 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Nationals are a +124 underdog and the over-under is 8.5.
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A.J. Cole (2-5, 4.43 ERA) will draw the start for the Nationals, while the Phillies counter with Aaron Nola (12-10, 3.56). Cole carries a 1.59 WHIP with 37 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings. He allowed three earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and two walks in a 3-2 home loss to the Dodgers his last outing. Cole has a 3.78 ERA in 16 2/3 road innings. Nola holds a 1.21 WHIP with 175 strikeouts over 162 innings. He gave up two earned runs on five hits with eight strikeouts and two walks in seven innings during a 6-2 home win over the Dodgers. Nola has a 2.98 in 87 2/3 innings at home.
Washington holds a 94-61 record and is 49-29 on the road, while Philadelphia is 62-94 and 35-40 at home. The Nationals have won seven of the last 10 meetings and the over-under is 4-5-1.
On Sunday, Washington won its second straight in a three-game series over the Mets with a 3-2 victory. Trea Turner sparked the offense with a two-run homer, while Jose Lobaton was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Max Scherzer picked up the win as he gave up one earned run and struck out 10 over six innings. Brandon Kintzler earned the save. The Phillies avoided a sweep with a 2-0 win Sunday at the Braves. Cesar Hernandez finished 3-for-4 with a run. Maikel Franco hit a solo home run, while Jorge Alfaro went 2-for-3. Nick Pivetta struck out four in six shutout innings for the win.
The Nationals clinched NLDS home-field advantage Sunday and will likely rest a lot of players for Monday’s game. That doesn’t bode well under any circumstances, but going against a pitcher as tough as Nola makes it a steep challenge. Cole has been serviceable at times at the MLB level, but expect the Phillies to create enough offense to support Nola.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES -144