Last Updated on June 22, 2018 4:12 pm by dpatrick
Phillies vs. Nationals Prediction
The third-place Philadelphia Phillies and second-place Washington Nationals are both staring up at leader Atlanta in the NL East. Will Philadelphia or host Washington win the series opener tonight as both teams jockey for position in the competitive division?
Game Snapshot
953 Philadelphia Phillies at 954 Washington Nationals
Friday, June 22, 2018
National Park at 7:05PM ET
TV: MASN (WAS)
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Nationals ard a -152 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Phillies are a +142 underdog, while the total is set at 8.5 runs. As of Friday morning, 56 percent of public bets are being placed on host Washington. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Phillies enter in good form
Philadelphia has won seven of its last 10 games including a 4-3 triumph at the Cardinals on Wednesday to take two of three in the series. Odubel Herrera homered for the fourth straight game and the fifth time in six games to lead the offense. He finished the contest 3-for-4 and also had a double. Cesar Hernandez contributed a 2-run homer in four at-bats. Rhys Hoskins was 2-for-3 with a walk and a run. Edubray Ramos earned the win in relief, while Adam Morgan picked up the save.
Nationals hold off Orioles
With a 4-2 win over visiting Baltimore on Thursday, Washington won two of three in the series to get some good vibes going against after recent struggles. Bryce Harper went 1-for-1 with a double, two walks, a run and an RBI from the leadoff spot. Trea Turner finished 1-for-3 with a walk and a run. Anthony Rendon hit a solo home run. Juan Soto was 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and the two go-ahead RBIs in the eighth inning. Kelvin Herrera picked up the win in relief, his first since coming over from the Royals in a trade last week.
Zach Eflin (4-2, 3.43 ERA) will start today for the Phillies, while Tanner Roark (3-7, 3.87) gets the nod for the Nats.
MLB Betting Trends
Philadelphia
The over is 10-1 in the last 11 Phillies games following a win. Philadelphia is 19-39 in the last 58 meetings.
Washington
The over is 6-2 in the last eight Washington games on Frinday. The under is 19-7 in the lasts 26 Washington games overall.
Prediction:
Eflin looked sharp in his last start and the Phillies had a day to rest coming into this one. Roark nas been hittable much of this season and is backed by a Nationals offense that hasn’t been too special lately. I’m going to take a shot on Philly here to get the upset.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES +142