Last year, the Philadelphia Phillies made their run to the World Series and the Washington Nationals were one of the worst teams in baseball, but this season, as they head into Game 2 of this series the Nats are ahead of the Phillies in the standings. Both teams enter this matchup at 25-32 after Washington took an 8-7 win last night at home after blowing a six-run lead and bouncing back.
Tonight it will be Matt Strahm on the mound for Philadelphia against Mackenzie Gore for Washington as the Nationals go for the series win. Strahm is 4-3 with a 3.20 ERA in 15 appearances, seven of them starts. Gore is 3-3 in 11 starts with a 3.57 ERA.
Let's take a look at the odds for the Phillies and Nationals in DC tonight.
Phillies vs. Nationals odds, run line and total
Phillies vs. Nationals prediction and pick
Back in April, Strahm thought he found himself a regular spot in the rotation, but he struggled to get deep into outings and has since been sent back into the bullpen. His most recent start was May 23 and he went two innings, allowing two runs on three hits against the Braves. He will be used as an opener in this one which will be a test for their bullpen. Philadelphia's bullpen has an ERA of 3.96 this season, around league average, but in the last seven days, their pitching staff ranks 25th in baseball with a 5.14 ERA.
The Phillies also rank in the bottom third of the league in OPS against left-handed pitchers, like Mackenzie Gore. They have an OPS of .703, 23rd in baseball and Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Bryce Harper all struggle against lefties this year. All three are hitting under .200 and Schwarber has 28 strikeouts to just 10 hits, though six of those have been home runs.
Last time out was Gore's best start of the year, seven innings and just one run on three hits with 11 strikeouts. If he goes deep into this start then the Nats should have a great chance to win the series tonight. Washington is a home underdog and I like that value.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change
