Game 2 of the three-game NL East series between the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies goes from Citizens Bank Park. Philadelphia edged Washington 4-3 last night for its second straight win, continuing the Nats’ win-one, lose-one streak over their last four games. Stephen Strasburg (WSN) and Aaron Nola (PHI) get the ball with the Phillies Sportsbook as a -145 favorite and the Nats coming back at +125. The total opened at 8 runs.
Nationals vs Phillies Game Center
Standout Stats
- Washington has been consistently inconsistent in the early stages of the season, failing to string together a streak – winning or losing – of more than two yet this year, and is 4-5 SU and ATS through its nine games. Meanwhile, Philadelphia has been living up to its high expectations, going 7-2 SU and 5-4 ATS through its Sportsbook nine games.
- Philadelphia and Washington both rank in the top 11 in the majors in runs scored and that has resulted in the OVER being a strong play, as the total has gone OVER in six of the Nationals’ first nine and in five of the Phillies’ nine contests as well. Philadelphia has had an average combined score of 10.33 through its first couple weeks of the season, while Washington’s average combined score has been 11.33. The Nats and Phillies have scored 34 runs through their first three meetings this year.
- Aaron Nola toes the slab for the third time this season, looking for a much better result than his last outing. The 25-year-old was roughed up for six runs on five hits (three homers), lasting just three innings in a 9-8 defeat to Washington on April 3. Quite a contrast from his first trip to the mound in 2019 when he hurled six innings and allowed one run on two hits in a 10-4 win over Atlanta. Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon has had Nola’s number in his career, batting 11-for-33 with three extra-base hits, including a solo jack six days ago. In Nola’s career, he has a 4-5 record with a 4.07 ERA over 16 starts against the Nationals.
- Washington sends big righty Stephen Strasburg to the hill for his third appearance of 2019. The California native was smacked around for four runs on seven hits over six innings in an 11-8 loss to the Mets in his season debut, although he did rack up eight strikeouts in the game. The 30-year-old rebounded in his second outing, tossing 6.2 scoreless innings while fanning nine Mets batters en route to a 4-0 win. Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco has seen the ball well out of Strasburg’s hand, sporting a .280 batting average with two home runs off him. Through the righty’s career, he is 12-2 with a 2.44 ERA vs Philadelphia.
- The Phillies have only faced right-handed starters this year and have a 7-2 record against them, while the Nats are 4-4 vs right-handed starters. Washington ranks 13th with a .242 batting average vs righties and Philadelphia ranks 11th with a .252 BA.
My Best Bet for Washington vs Philadelphia
OVER 8 runs
Runs have been coming frequently for both teams in the early stages of the season and I expect that to continue in tonight’s game. Washington and Philly rank in the top 11 in runs scored and Aaron Nola got his bell rung last time against the Nats, while Strasburg is somewhat inconsistent as well. Through three meetings already this season, these two teams have combined for 34 runs, and I anticipate tonight’s game sailing over eight runs.
