Phillies vs. Nationals Friday Prediction
The Washington Nationals are suddenly hot again. Winners of five straight, the Nationals will open a new series against their National League East rivals the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. ET. Will the Nationals make it six straight?
Game Snapshot & Odds
901 Philadelphia Phillies (+121) at 902 Washington Nationals (-131); 8.5 runs
Friday, May 4, 2018
7:05 p.m. ET, Nationals Park
TV: PHI (CSP); WSH (MASN)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Nationals as a -131 favorite. As of this writing, 53% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Phillies to beat the Nationals on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Phillies’ Pivetta allows four runs in five innings in last start
Nick Pivetta surrendered four runs in five innings and took a loss to the Braves on Saturday. Nick Markakis touched him up for a solo bomb in the first inning, and Freddie Freeman drilled a triple off him in the fifth. All told, Pivetta allowed six hits and three walks while striking out six batters in the contest.
The fact that this was his worst start of the season serves to illustrate just how good Pivetta has been this year. He has a 3.27 ERA and 1.12 WHIP after six starts. His 34:7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 33 innings is excellent. He is simply much-improved over his very poor rookie season from a year ago.
Nationals’ Gonzalez earns win over Diamondbacks
Gio Gonzalez picked up the win by pitching seven strong innings against the Diamondbacks on Sunday in a 3-1 victory. Gonzalez allowed just the one run, and he struck out eight over those seven innings to pick up his third win of the season. It’s another quality start for the southpaw, and his ERA is now down to 2.67 to go along with a 37/14 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 33 2/3 innings. He’ll have a chance to improve his numbers on Friday in a home start against the Phillies.
MLB Betting Trends
Philadelphia
The Phillies are 18-37 in their last 55 games against the Nationals and are 1-4 in their last five games in Washington.
Washington
The Nationals have won five straight overall and five of their last six home games when facing a right-handed starter.
Prediction:
The Nationals and Braves currently own the longest win streaks in baseball right now at five games apiece. Washington still has some work to do to get back on top of the National League East standings but you get the sense that the Nats are starting to make their climb. They’re banged up but red hot and have owned the Phillies in previous meetings. I’ll lay the odds with Washington.
The Pick: Washington Nationals -131