Sean O’Sullivan (0-1, 6.39 ERA) and the Philadelphia Phillies (3-2) meet Max Scherzer (0-1, 0.00 ERA) and the Washington Nationals (1-4) in the last of a three-game division series at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won the last game 3-2 and Philadelphia leads the series 2-0. The game starts at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, Apr. 12 and will air on MASN2 and CSN-PHI.
O’Sullivan takes the mound after pitching 12.2 innings last year, wrapping up the season with a 0-1 record, 6.39 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and seven strikeouts. Carlos Ruiz (.385 ) continued his strong start to the season yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one run and one RBI. In his career against the Phillies, Scherzer is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 12 strikeouts. Michael Taylor (.286 ) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one stolen base.
The Over/Under (O/U) for this game is set at seven runs and Philadelphia is a considerable +185 underdog. The Phillies are 2-1 as the underdog and have an overall money line of +68. They have had an impressive season when facing their division. They have a 1-0 record when playing as the underdog and a 1-0 SU. The have been extremely effective at striking opposing batters out at Citizens Bank Park, averaging 8.8 strikeouts per home game.
Across the field, the Nationals have a record of 1-3 when they are favored and are -333 overall with the money line. Against divisional rivals, they are 1-3 SU and have played poorly as the favorite with a 1-3 record.
So far this season, the Phillies are 2-0 against the Nationals.
Predictions: SU Winner – WSH, O/U – Over
Notes
In their last game, the Nationals lost by a margin of one run. The Phillies are 1-0 in one-run games. The Nationals have a 1-1 record in close games.
When the Phillies play into extra innings, they have a 1-0 record. The Nationals are 0-1 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Nationals are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Phillies have a 2-1 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When outhit, both the Phillies and the Nationals have records of 0-2.
Philadelphia ranks near the bottom of the league at 27th when it comes to home runs, hitting one this season. Washington ranks in the top half at 11th with four.
Philadelphia and Washington both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Philadelphia sits at 14th with 5.25 hits per game and Washington ranks 13th with 5.75.
Philadelphia and Washington both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Philadelphia sits at 25th with an OPS of .552 and Washington ranks 26th with an OPS of .544.
