Phillies vs. Nationals Tuesday Prediction
National League East rivals open a new series in D.C. on Tuesday night when the Washington Nationals host the Philadelphia Phillies at 7:05 p.m. ET. Will Game 1 of the series turn into a high-scoring affair for bettors?
Game Snapshot & Odds
903 Philadelphia Phillies (+117) at 904 Washington Nationals (-137); 9 runs
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
7:05 p.m. ET, Nationals Park
TV: PHI (NBCSP); WSH (MSN2)
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Nationals as a -137 favorite. As of this writing, 57% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Nationals to beat the Phillies 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’ Velasquez allows three runs in 2 1/3 innings vs. Red Sox
Vince Velasquez turned in a brief start on Wednesday, allowing three runs in 2 1/3 innings versus the Red Sox. All three runs scored with one crack of the bat as Mitch Moreland delivered a bases-loaded double in the third inning. Velasquez then walked the next two batters and was pulled from the game before he could give up the ghost. It was his second poor start in a row, but his teammates were able to come back and pull out a win later in the game. His record holds at 8-9 with a 4.13 ERA and 1.27 WHIP after 23 starts and one relief appearance. He has a strong 133:49 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 120 innings.
Nationals’ Roark has quality start in fifth straight win, beats Cards
Tanner Roark allowed four runs — three earned — over six innings Thursday in a win over the Cardinals. Roark turned in a quality start by definition, but he clearly didn’t have his best stuff on this night, allowing five hits and walking three while striking out just one. Perhaps that speaks even more to how good he’s been lately that he could still hang in and get the win despite being less than his best, and he’s now rattled off five straight wins to start the season’s second half. Roark is 8-12 with a 4.13 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 24 starts.
MLB Betting Trends
Philadelphia
The Phillies are 5-2 in their last seven games against the Nationals but are just 7-16 in their last 23 games played in Washington.
Washington
The Nationals are winless in Roark’s last four starts against the Phillies.
Prediction:
The Phillies have been trending under recently (14-6-1), especially on the road (16-5-1), but I envision a shootout tonight. The over is 3-0-1 in the Nationals’ last four games, is 4-0-1 in their last five home games, and is 5-1 in Roark’s last six home starts. Roark has been excellent of late but Washington’s bullpen struggles and the Nats should get to Velasquez, putting up plenty of runs throughout the nine innings tonight.
The Pick: Phillies/Nationals over 9