Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals Free Pick 09/26/19

The Philadelphia Phillies will be taking on their division rival Washington Nationals. NBC Sports Philadelphia will broadcast the matchup and the game is scheduled to get underway at 4:05 p.m. ET.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals Odds

Vegas is listing Washington (-240) as the favorite over Philadelphia (+220). Bettors are able to gamble on the matchup’s total with odds sitting at -105 for over 9.5 runs and -115 for under 9.5. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the runline odds coming in at Phillies +1.5 runs (+100) and Nationals -1.5 runs (-120).

The Nationals are 89-69 straight up (SU) and 87-70 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 1.0 units for moneyline bettors while gaining 12.4 units ATS. Washington has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in three of those seven. The Phillies, on the other hand, have gone 79-79 SU this year and are 75-82 against the spread. They’ve lost 7.1 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 9.8 units ATS. Philadelphia is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.

Washington games have an over/under record of 73-75-9 in 2019. The Phillies have an over/under record of 74-78-5.

The southpaw Jason Vargas will get the start for Philadelphia. Vargas (7-8, 4.40 ERA) has racked up 121 strikeouts in 145.1 innings so far. This is his first outing against Washington this year. He did make two starts against the Nationals in 2018, compiling a 1-0 record against them with a 1.54 ERA and 16 strikeouts.

The Nationals will be sending righty Stephen Strasburg (17-6, 3.37 ERA) to the mound. Strasburg has 241 strikeouts and 56 walks to his credit, along with a 1.05 WHIP. Strasburg is 1-0 with nine strikeouts and a 5.40 ERA over two starts against Philadelphia this year.

Philadelphia’s pitching staff allowed 4.9 runs per game and its starters own a 4.58 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 8.38 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.53, along with a K/9 of 8.95.

Phillies hitters have slashed .245/.320/.426 on their way to 4.8 runs scored per game in 2019, including 5.1 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (0-5 SU).

Second baseman Cesar Hernandez and shortstop Jean Segura continue to lead Philadelphia’s hitters. Hernandez is slashing .279/.333/.399 with 12 home runs, 69 RBIs and 72 runs scored, while Segura is hitting .279 with 12 homers, 60 RBIs and 79 runs scored.

For the home team, Washington’s pitchers have allowed 4.5 runs per game overall this year. The club’s starters have an ERA of 3.52, a WHIP of 1.20 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.6. The bullpen has a 5.77 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 9.0 K/9. In 75 games against divisional opponents, Nationals starters have an ERA of 3.53 and the bullpen’s ERA is 6.21.

Washington’s hitters are putting up 5.3 runs per outing, including 5.5 per game against divisional foes and 5.0 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .252/.362/.430 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that span.

Third baseman Anthony Rendon and outfielder Adam Eaton have led the Nationals’ offense this year. Rendon is hitting .322/.410/.603 with 34 home runs, 124 RBIs and 115 runs scored, while Eaton’s line is .280/.364/.431 with 15 homers, 48 RBIs, 101 runs and 14 stolen bases.

The Phillies have gained 2.9 units and are 58-57 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 56 of those games, as opposed to 55 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Nationals have netted 1.2 units and are 22-17 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 16 of those games, as opposed to 19 which went under the total.

Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals Free Pick

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