Phillies vs. Nationals Sunday Prediction
The Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals will wrap up their series on Sunday in D.C. With a pitching matchup that features Jake Arrieta and Max Scherzer, will the game turn into a pitcher’s duel?
Game Snapshot & Odds
905 Philadelphia Phillies (+175) at 906 Washington Nationals (-200); 7 runs
Sunday, May 6, 2018
1:35 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 -200 favorite. As of this writing, 64% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Nationals to beat the Phillies on the money line. 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’ Arrieta allows six runs in loss to Marlins in last start
Jake Arrieta surrendered six earned runs over 3 2/3 innings Monday in a loss to the Marlins. Arrieta issued two walks and gave up eight hits in the ugly 79-pitch outing at Marlins Park in Miami. His season ERA jumped from 1.82 to 3.49. The veteran right-hander will try to get back on track Sunday against the Nationals.
Nationals’ Scherzer goes 6 1/3 innings vs. Pirates
Max Scherzer allowed two runs while notching eight strikeouts across 6 1/3 innings of work in Tuesday’s 12-4 victory over the Pirates. Scherzer permitted just three hits on the night, but one of them was a two-run home run by Corey Dickerson in the seventh inning. The longball has been an issue at times for the three-time Cy Young winner, but the one he gave up Tuesday was just his fourth surrendered in seven starts. Scherzer goes up against the Phillies at home on Sunday.
MLB Betting Trends
Philadelphia
The Phillies are 10-24 in their last 34 games against the Nationals and have dropped 14 of 19 in D.C.
Washington
The Nationals are a near-perfect 11-1 in Scherzer’s last 12 starts against the Phillies and are 5-1 in his last six home outings versus Philadelphia.
Prediction:
The under should be safe. Arrieta has not been hit very hard this season and his ground ball rate is an elite 61%. He’s not striking out as many batters as we’re accustomed to but he’ll face a watered down Nationals lineup today so that shouldn’t be a problem. On the other side is Scherzer, one of the game’s elite pitchers who should stifle the Phillies.
The Pick: Phillies/Nationals under 7