MLB Predictions, 9/3/20 Nationals vs. Phillies – Sanchez vs. Eflin

Nationals vs. Phillies 9/3 Prediction

After suffering back-to-back shutouts, will the Nationals’ bats finally come back to life this afternoon in Philadelphia when Washington wraps up its latest series versus the Phillies at 4:05 p.m. ET?

Game Snap Shot

Who: Nationals (12-22, 6-9 Away) at Phillies (17-15, 13-9 Home)

What: MLB Regular Season Matchup

When: 4:05 p.m. ET

Where: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Betting Odds: Nationals +140 (Anibal Sanchez) vs. Phillies -161 (Zach Eflin); O/U 10.5

Washington Nationals DFS Spin

Tanner Rainey tossed a scoreless inning Wednesday to lower his ERA to 1.17. Rainey has allowed two runs and struck out 21 in 15 1/3 innings in his setup role for the Nationals. It hasn't resulted in any saves yet, but he would almost surely be the choice to take over if Daniel Hudson were to lose the job.

Philadelphia Phillies DFS Spin

Neil Walker went 3-for-3 with two RBI against the Nationals in Wednesday's win. Walker was the only player on either the Phillies or Nationals to have multiple hits in the 3-0 game. The veteran infielder came into this one with just five hits and one RBI in 26 at-bats this season. He was playing first base tonight to give Rhys Hoskins a day off.

Nationals vs. Phillies Prediction

The Nationals have been shut out in back-to-back games but either their bats will come alive or the Phillies will continue to stay hot at the plate. Either way, I like the over. Sanchez has been brutal this season, posting a 6.90 ERA and a 1-4 record over six starts and 30 innings. He’s not striking anyone out and owns a WHIP of 1.70. Even though they were held to three runs last night, the Phillies faced Max Scherzer and were unlikely to do much damage anyway. Today will be different versus Sanchez.

Meanwhile, Eflin is 2-1 with a 4.10 ERA over five starts and 26.1 total innings of work. He’s got punchout ability but he’s allowed at least one run in every start this season and at least three runs in three of his six outings. If the Nationals can’t get to him, they’ll should crack a Philly bullpen that has been good in this series but poor overall.

THURSDAY MLB PREDICTION: NATIONALS/PHILLIES OVER 10.5