In the last of a four-game series between the Washington Nationals (5-7) and the Philadelphia Phillies (5-7) at Nationals Park, Stephen Strasburg (0-1, 6.75 ERA) and David Buchanan (0-2, 11.42 ERA) get the start. The Phillies won the last game 5-3 and Washington leads the series 2-1. The game gets underway at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, Apr. 19 and will air on CSN-PHI and MASN2.
Strasburg is 4-1 with a 2.09 ERA against the Phillies in his career, and is up against a less-than-stellar Philadelphia offense that’s hitting just .212 on the year. Bryce Harper (.279, 10 Rs, 4 HRs, 7 RBIs) continued his hot start yesterday, going 2 for 3 with one run, one home run, and one RBI. In his pitching opportunities against the Nationals, Buchanan is 0-1 with a 10.50 ERA, six strikeouts and two walks. Odubel Herrera (.308, 5 Rs, 3 RBIs, 3 SBs) has been hitting the ball well to start the season for the Phillies, going 3 for 4 yesterday with two runs, one RBI, and two stolen bases.
Washington is a heavy -229 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. When playing as the favorite, the Nationals have a 4-4 record and overall money line at -235. They have a 4-4 record SU and are 4-4 as favorite within their division. Division games have been tough for the Nationals. Washington has only averaged 3.1 runs per game compared to its 4.2 season average. The Nationals are a dangerous hitting team with 35 extra base hits, one of the highest totals in the MLB. Washington’s pitching staff can be considered one of the best in the NL. The Nationals have a team ERA of 3.14, one of the lowest in their league. The Nationals don’t give up many hits at home to opposing batters at Nationals Park, leading the NL with only 6.6 hits allowed per home game.
Across the field, the Phillies have a subpar record of 3-7 when they are the underdog and are -432 overall with the money line. Against divisional foes, they are 2-6 SU and have played poorly as the underdog with a 2-6 record.
This game will feature Buchanan (RHP) on the mound against the Nationals, who have a 3-5 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The right-handed Strasburg will take the mound against the Phillies. They’ve have a 2-7 record against righty starters this season, but are an abysmal 0-4 on the road.
Predictions: SU Winner – WSH, O/U – Under
Notes
Washington has won 33% (3-6) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Philadelphia has won 50% (3-3) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Nationals managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Phillies who are coming in with a 2-3 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Nationals are 0-6. The Phillies have a 1-6 record when opponents outhit them.
Philadelphia ranks near the bottom of the league at 25th when it comes to home runs, hitting six this season. Washington ranks in the top five at fourth with 14.
Ranking 15th, Philadelphia is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.09 per game. Washington ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 7.36.
Ranking 29th, Philadelphia is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.588). Washington ranks in the bottom half at 17th with an OPS of .677.
The Phillies are 3-6 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Nationals are 2-2 when they allow at least one homer.
