Jordan Zimmermann (13-8, 3.49 ERA) and the Washington Nationals (78-74) meet Jerad Eickhoff (1-3, 3.16 ERA) and the Philadelphia Phillies (57-96) in the first of a three-game division series at Nationals Park. The game gets underway at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday, Sep. 25 and will air on CSPh and MAS2.
In his last start, Zimmermann pitched 6.0 innings, allowing two runs, striking out seven and walking one in a 5-2 victory over the Marlins. Ryan Zimmerman (.249, 43 Rs, 16 HRs, 73 RBIs, 1 SB) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one run. The Phillies were unsuccessful to the Braves 2-1 the last time Eickhoff pitched. He went 7.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out five and walking two. Ryan Howard (.229, 53 Rs, 23 HRs, 77 RBIs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Washington is a considerable -245 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. The Nationals are 65-47 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -1,460. Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (7-3). The Nationals have the most prolific offense in the entire NL, averaging 4.5 runs per game. Whenever an NL East opponent shows up on the calendar, the Nationals pitch better. They allow an average of 4.0 runs per game, but allow just 3.4 against teams from their own division. The Nationals are the best in the NL in walks allowed, giving up just 2.2 per game.
Moving on to the away team, the Phillies come into this game with a weak win percentage of .370 when playing as the underdog (51-87) and an overall money line of -1,370. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 3-7 SU and have played poorly as the underdog with a 3-7 record.
The Nationals had the upper hand against the Phillies in their previous 16 games this season, earning an 11-5 record. This game will feature Eickhoff (RHP) on the mound against the Nationals, who have a 59-57 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The right-handed Zimmermann will take the mound against the Phillies. Against righty starters this season, they have a terrible 44-74 record overall and 17-39 on the road.
Predictions: SU Winner – Was, O/U – Over
Notes
In their last game, the Phillies lost by a margin of one run. The Nationals are 21-20 in one-run games. The Phillies have a 15-25 record in close games.
The Nationals managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Phillies who are coming in with a 1-1 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Nationals are 12-61. The Phillies have an 18-73 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 28th in home runs, Philadelphia has hit 119 this season. Washington ranks eighth with 167 home runs.
Washington and Philadelphia both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Washington sits at ninth with 8.53 hits per game and Philadelphia ranks 10th with 8.46.
Ranking 29th, Philadelphia is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.679). Washington ranks in the top half at 11th with an OPS of .735.
When the Phillies allow at least one home run, they are 28-71. When the Nationals allow one or more homers, they have a 34-46 record.
