Tuesday, September 22, 2020, Nationals Park, Washington, D.C., 3:05 p.m. ET
Phillies at Nationals Betting Preview: Phillies (-182), Nationals (+155)
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies (27-27) look to rebound from their first loss to Washington this season when they continue their four-game series with a doubleheader on Tuesday. Philadelphia erupted for 34 runs en route to winning the previous six meetings before mustering just one run on a balk while committing three errors in a 5-1 setback on Monday.
Injuries have been one of the primary concerns for the Phillies, although Bryce Harper (lower back stiffness) served as the designated hitter on Monday, a day after exiting a game. J.T. Realmuto is in line to return to catch one of Tuesday’s games after being sidelined since Sept. 13 due to a strained left hip flexor.
Right-hander Aaron Nola (5-3, 2.92 ERA) looks to bounce back from a career high-tying, five-walk performance when he takes the ball for the opener. Nola, 27, improved to 6-6 with a 3.86 ERA in 21 career starts versus Washington after beating them in consecutive outings on Aug. 26 and Sept. 1. He fanned 17 while allowing two runs in 15 innings during those games.
Washington Nationals
The Nationals (21-32) have answered a lowly 2-6 stretch by outscoring the opposition 20-1 during their past two games. Asdrubal Cabrera belted a three-run homer in Washington’s 15-0 rout of Miami on Sunday before adding an RBI single the following day.
Cabrera is 5-for-14 with one homer, five RBIs and seven runs during his four-game hitting streak. Trea Turner has three RBIs and three runs during his three-game hitting streak and is 10-for-29 (.345) this season versus the Phillies.
Right-hander Austin Voth (0-5, 7.17 ERA) aims to notch his first win of the season when he takes the ball on Tuesday. The 28-year-old kept the ball in the park in his one-run, five-inning outing on Wednesday at Tampa Bay after surrendering six homers in over his three previous trips to the mound.
Phillies at Nationals Betting Pick for September 22, 2020
Philadelphia has little margin for error as it attempts to secure its first playoff berth since 2011. The Phillies are battling Cincinnati, Milwaukee and former manager Gabe Kapler’s new club in San Francisco for the final playoff sports in the National League.
Philadelphia sends out the ace of its staff for the opener of the doubleheader, and he will not disappoint. As for the bullpen? Well, expect some anxious moments before all is said and done.
Phillies at Nationals Betting Pick:
Phillies 3, Nationals 2
Phillies at Nationals Best Bet for September 22, 2020
Philadelphia has scored just seven total runs over the past three games, and Monday’s series-opening setback didn’t exactly instill much confidence that it would score much more anytime soon.
The Phillies’ makeshift lineup mustered only six hits and struck out 13 times while the Nationals didn’t fare much better (seven hits, 10 strikeouts).
Phillies at Nationals Best Bet: UNDER 6.5 total runs (+100)
–Field Level Media
