The Washington Nationals (49-63) and the Philadelphia Phillies (61-51) open a 4-game series Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park. First pitch in Game 1 of Tuesday’s doubleheader is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Nationals vs. Phillies odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: tied 3-3
These teams were expected to open the 4-game set Monday, but Mother Nature had other plans. Monday’s postponed game is being made up as part of a doubleheader Tuesday.
Washington played with a little ‘Natitude’ over the weekend, sweeping a 3-game set from the Cincinnati Reds. The Nats have won 5 of the past 6 games overall, but Washington is still 14 games under .500 overall. The Under has cashed in 4 straight, and 6 of the past 7 outings.
Philadelphia took 2 of 3 games from the suddenly pesky Kansas City Royals at home over the weekend, and the Phillies are 5-2 across the past 7 games overall. Totally opposite of the Nats, the Over has cashed in 3 in a row, and 4 of the past 5 games for the Phils.
Nationals at Phillies projected starters
RHP Trevor Williams vs. RHP Zack Wheeler
Williams (5-6, 4.72 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.49 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 6.5 K/9 in 108 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 4 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 4 BB, 2 K in 5-2 road loss vs. New York Mets on July 30
- 2023 road splits: 3-3, 5.02 ERA (57 1/3 IP, 32 ER – 14 HR), .305 opponent batting average (OBA) in 12 starts
Wheeler (8-5, 3.71 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.11 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 10.2 K/9 in 131 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 4 K in a 9-8 road loss in 12 innings vs. the Miami Marlins Wednesday
- 2023 home splits: 2-2, 4.03 ERA (60 1/3 IP, 27 ER – 7 HR), .226 OBA in 10 starts
Nationals at Phillies odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:28 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nationals +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Phillies -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Nationals +1.5 (+115) | Phillies -1.5 (-140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW23 for $15 OFF a full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 9/30/2023. Subscribe today and start winning!
Nationals at Phillies picks and predictions
Prediction
Phillies 6, Nationals 4
Moneyline
The Phillies (-275) will cost you nearly 3 times your potential return, and that’s just way too much risk for not enough reward.
Plus, Philadelphia has had a difficult time with the Nationals (+220) this season, and Washington is playing pretty good ball lately, too.
PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
If things go according to plan, the PHILLIES -1.5 (-140) should be able to cover the run line in Game 1.
Williams has been very giving this season, coughing up 14 homers in 57 1/3 IP across 12 road outings. That’s bad news when playing in a bandbox like Citizens Bank Park. Expect the Philadelphia offense to come alive, especially with a wind blowing from left field to right field at 13-16 mph.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Over/Under
OVER 9 (+100) is the lean, and remember the wind situation. Left-handed batters could see some wind-aided homers against the pitchers, especially Williams.
The Over is 6-2-1 in the past 9 meetings in this series and is 4-1 in Philadelphia’s last 5 games overall.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup