Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies, 5/3/2019 Predictions & Odds

Nationals vs. Phillies Friday Prediction

The Phillies are heavy favorites Friday night at home, where they will take on a Nationals team that will limp into Philadelphia with a 3-7 record over their last 10 games. Is there any value with the Phillies on the run line?

Game Snapshot & Odds

903 Washington Nationals (+156) at 904 Philadelphia Phillies (-169); 9.5 runs

Friday, May 3, 2019

7:05 p.m. ET, Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

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Public Betting Trends

According to our MLB Public Betting Chart page, 68% of the betting tickets are on the Phillies to beat the Nationals on the money line.

Washington Nationals Fantasy Spin

Howie Kendrick tallied two hits Thursday in the Nationals’ 2-1 victory over St. Louis. Kendrick supplied Washington’s first hit with a leadoff single in the fourth and scored later in the inning on a throwing error by shortstop Yairo Munoz. His second hit came in the eighth on a two-out single to center field. Kendrick went 2-for-4 while his teammates combined to go just 3-for-25 (.120 AVG). The 35-year-old has been white-hot at the dish, rolling to a superb .356 average with four homers and 13 RBI in the early going. He’s been filling in at the hot corner for Anthony Rendon, who is out with a bruised elbow.

Philadelphia Phillies Fantasy Spin

Cesar Hernandez went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored in an interleague win over the Tigers on Wednesday. His second-inning single plated J.T. Realmuto with the game's first run. The veteran second baseman is having a good year at the plate thus far. He owns a .283 batting average with two dingers, 10 RBI and 16 runs scored in 29 games. He is batting lower in the batting order and isn't running as much -- he has just two stolen bases after swiping 19 bags last year.

MLB Betting Trends

Washington

The Nationals are 5-1 in their last six road games versus the Phillies.

Philadelphia

The Phillies are just 2-6 in their last eight games versus the Nationals.

Prediction:

I love the Phillies tonight and will take a flier on their run line seeing as how we’re getting plus odds by laying the 1.5. Washington starter Jeremy Hellickson currently owns a 5.90 xFIP while his walk rate (10.0%) nearly matches his strikeout rate (13.0%). Jerad Eickhoff, meanwhile, has been excellent (3.26 xFIP, 30.8% strikeout rate, 17.5% hard contact rate) and the Phillies a distinct advantage when it comes to the bullpens of these two teams as well. With the weather not expected to be a factor tonight in Philly, I see no reason to fade the favorite here.

The Pick: Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (+120)