Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals Matchup 05/05/18

The Philadelphia Phillies will be taking on their divisional rival Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will televise the action and the first pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals Odds

Philadelphia (+125) is hosting this one as the underdog against Washington (-135) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this one at 8.5 runs. The odds for wagering on the game’s total sit at +100 for the under and -120 for the over. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the runline odds standing at -170 for the Phillies +1.5 runs and +150 for the Nationals -1.5.

The Nationals are 17-16 SU and 16-16 ATS. They’ve lost 6.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 0.3 units against the spread (ATS). Washington has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Phillies are 17-14 SU and have gone 11-19 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 2.1 units for gamblers taking the moneyline in this young season, but have lost 11.0 units ATS. Philadelphia has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.

Nationals games have a 14-16-2 over/under record so far in 2018. The Phillies have an over/under record of 14-13-3.

Vince Velasquez will get the nod for Philadelphia. The right-handed Velasquez is 1-4 with a 5.70 ERA and 34 strikeouts. He has yet to face Washington this year, but he made three starts against the Nationals in 2017, posting a 0-2 record against them with a 6.75 ERA and 23 strikeouts.

The Nationals are going with righty Tanner Roark (2-2, 3.55 ERA), who has 32 strikeouts and 13 walks, as well as a 1.03 WHIP. Roark made five starts against the Phillies in 2017, posting a 1-1 record with a 4.76 ERA and 22 strikeouts.

As a unit, Washington’s pitchers have given up 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018. The team’s starters have an ERA of 3.22, a WHIP of 1.09 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.7. The bullpen has a 4.67 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 9.7 K/9. In 13 games against divisional foes, Nationals starters have an ERA of 3.66 and the bullpen’s ERA is 6.18.

Washington’s hitters are putting up 4.8 runs per outing, including 4.5 per game against divisional foes and 6.8 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .280/.355/.524 over its last five contests and is 5-0 SU during that span.

The Nationals’ hitters have been led by Bryce Harper and Matt Adams. Harper is hitting .264/.450/.623 with 12 home runs, 28 RBIs and 29 runs scored, and Adams has produced a line of .297/.416/.672 with seven homers, 17 RBIs and 14 runs.

In the other dugout, Philadelphia’s pitchers have allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starters own a 4.19 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 8.05 K/9. The bullpen has managed a solid ERA of just 3.04, along with a K/9 of 9.13.

Phillies hitters have slashed .234/.326/.378 on their way to 4.5 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.1 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).

Left fielder Rhys Hoskins and second baseman Cesar Hernandez have led Philadelphia’s hitters. Hoskins is slashing .284/.431/.490 with four home runs, 20 RBIs and 17 runs scored, while Hernandez is hitting .286/.409/.420 with three homers, 11 RBIs, 21 runs and five stolen bases.

The Phillies have lost 1.1 units and are 7-16 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 10 of those games, compared to 11 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Nationals have netted 1.1 units and are 11-10 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s cashed in 11 of those games, compared to nine that went under the total.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals Pick

Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Phillies, O/U – OVER

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