Washington (67-66) at Philadelphia (70-62)
When: Wednesday, August 29th 2018
Where: Citizens Bank Park,
Philadelphia, PA
Time: 7:05 ET | TV: MASN2, NBCS Philly
Opening Odds: Philadelphia -121/9
The Philadelphia Phillies received another strong outing from their ace on Tuesday and were headed for just their third win in 10 games before a disastrous ninth inning against the Washington Nationals. Aaron Nola helped the Phillies to a 3-2 lead heading into the final inning before Anthony Rendon blasted a two-run homer as the Nationals beat their NL East-rivals for the fifth time in six games and will go for the series sweep on Wednesday. Rendon, who is riding an eight-game hitting streak, is 20-for-55 with five homers, 14 RBIs and 10 runs scored against Philadelphia this season. The game ended even more embarrassingly for the Phillies, as pinch-running pitcher Vince Velasquez was called out for leaving second base early while tagging up, resulting in a game-ending double play as the Phillies dropped 4.5 games behind first-place Atlanta in the National League East. The victory improved the Nationals to one game over .500 and are now just six games out of a wild card spot in the NL. Washington 1B Ryan Zimmerman is 10-for-28 with two homers in his last seven games overall and 9-for-19 with six extra-base hits versus Philadelphia this season. Veteran Jake Arrieta looks to get Philly back on track when he takes on lefty Gio Gonzalez, who has been the subject of recent trade rumors.
Pitchers: Nationals – Gio Gonzalez (7-11, 4.35 ERA) | Phillies – Jake Arrieta (9-9, 3.37)
Gonzalez pitched well in his last outing, allowing just one run in seven innings to the New York Mets, but was on the losing end of a 3-0 decision – his third straight loss. Gonzalez has already seen the Phillies twice this season, allowing two hits over five scoreless innings of a 7-3 win on May 4th before walking four in a no-decision two months later. He is 11-7 career versus Philadelphia.
Like Gonzalez, Arrieta has also dropped three straight starts after allowing four runs on six hits over six innings in a 4-2 setback at Toronto on Friday. Arrieta has pitched well against Washington in two starts this season, allowing just three earned runs on six hits in 11 innings, but has been saddled with two no-decisions. He is 1-2 with a 4.89 ERA in 11 career encounters against the Nationals.
The Phillies are really struggling right now and last night’s loss was a killer. The Nationals seem to have Philly’s number right now and are hitting .293 against righties in their last 10 games. I think Washington gets the sweep here.
Pick: Nationals +115
BETTING TRENDS:
- Nationals are 23-9 in Gonzalez’s last 32 Wednesday starts.
- Nationals are 7-3 in Gonzalez’s last 10 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Nationals are 1-4 in Gonzalez’s last 5 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
- Nationals are 1-4 in Gonzalez’s last 5 starts during game 3 of a series.
- Nationals are 1-5 in Gonzalez’s last 6 starts with 4 days of rest.
- Nationals are 1-7 in Gonzalez’s last 8 starts.
- Nationals are 1-7 in Gonzalez’s last 8 starts on grass.
- Nationals are 0-8 in Gonzalez’s last 8 road starts.
- Phillies are 4-0 in Arrieta’s last 4 Wednesday starts.
- Phillies are 4-1 in Arrieta’s last 5 starts with 4 days of rest.
- Phillies are 0-4 in Arrieta’s last 4 starts.
- Under is 5-1 in Gonzalez’s last 6 starts during game 3 of a series.
- Under is 5-1-1 in Gonzalez’s last 7 starts vs. National League East.
- Under is 5-1-1 in Gonzalez’s last 7 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 7-2-1 in Gonzalez’s last 10 starts overall.
- Under is 17-5-1 in Gonzalez’s last 23 starts on grass.
- Under is 16-5-2 in Gonzalez’s last 23 road starts.
- Under is 3-1-1 in Gonzalez’s last 5 Wednesday starts.
- Under is 15-5-1 in Gonzalez’s last 21 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
- Under is 7-3-1 in Gonzalez’s last 11 starts with 4 days of rest.
- Under is 7-3-1 in Gonzalez’s last 11 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 5-0 in Arrieta’s last 5 starts vs. National League East.
- Under is 5-1 in Arrieta’s last 6 starts with 4 days of rest.
- Under is 4-1 in Arrieta’s last 5 starts overall.
- Under is 8-3 in Arrieta’s last 11 starts on grass.
