Nationals vs. Phillies Thursday Prediction
After an off day on Wednesday, the struggling Washington Nationals headed to Philadelphia to open a new weekend series with the Philadelphia Phillies. Is the host a safe bet to take Game 1 of the series on Thursday night?
Game Snapshot & Odds
957 Washington Nationals (+125) at 958 Philadelphia Phillies (-135); 8 runs
Thursday, June 28, 2018
7:05 p.m. ET, Citizens Bank Park
TV: WSH (MSN2); PHI (CSP)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Phillies as a -118 favorite. As of this writing, 73% 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.
Nationals’ Roark gives up six runs vs. Phillies
Tanner Roark was tagged for six runs in 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the Phillies on Friday. Roark threw 113 pitches and didn’t make it out of the fifth inning. All told, he allowed seven hits (including a homer) while walking four and striking out seven. He’s now given up 10 runs in 8 1/3 innings over his last two starts, bring his ERA up from 3.63 to 4.27 in the process. He’ll try to work deeper into his next start, which will also be against the Phillies, this time on the road.
Phillies’ Nola allows two runs in win over Nationals
Aaron Nola held the Nationals to two runs in six innings and was credited with a win on Saturday. He struck out five, walked three and surrendered four base knocks in the quality start. Both runs came in the first inning when a Daniel Murphy single plated Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto. Nola settled down from there and shut out the Nationals over the next five frames before being relieved. He improves to 9-2 with a sterling 2.58 ERA and 1.02 WHIP through 16 starts. He is a lock for the All Star team and is working himself into the Cy Young conversation.
MLB Betting Trends
Washington
The Nationals have dropped four of their last five games overall and five straight on the road.
Philadelphia
The Phillies have won five of their last seven games against the rest of the National League East.
Prediction:
First, the bad: The Phillies are 3-8 in Nola’s last 11 starts against the Nationals and 1-4 in his last five home outings versus Washington. Now, the good: The Nationals are just 2-5 in Roark’s last seven starts versus the Phillies, are 1-4 in his last five starts overall, and 1-5 in his last six outings against division rivals. There’s also this: The Phillies are 10-2 in Nola’s last 12 starts, 16-5 in his last 21 home outings, and are reasonably priced on the money line against a struggling Nats team that hasn’t gotten it done lately on the road.
The Pick: Philadelphia Phillies -133