Phillies vs. Nationals Preview: Odds, Pitching Matchup, and Props for August 3

The Philadelphia Phillies (59-53) will return to Citizens Bank Park for a seven-game homestand beginning with an NL East duel with the Washington Nationals (55-58) at 6:40 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 3.

While the Phillies hold a 3-7 record over their last ten games and desperately need to build momentum, they’ve struggled to a 28-27 record at home this season.

The Nationals have lost five in a row, while Philadelphia hope to be on the other side of their cold spell with consecutive wins. Fans looking to catch the action can tune into NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Nationals +147 / Phillies -168
• Run Line: Nationals +1.5 (-142) / Phillies -1.5 (+119)
• Over/Under: 9.5 (Over -101 / Under -119)

Weather

Fans and athletes can expect temperatures in the low 80s at first pitch, but humidity around 70 percent will make for muggy conditions. A 5 mph breeze blowing in from the west-northwest will contrast with gusts up to 14 mph, but the crossbreeze shouldn’t impact offense too much.

Pitching Matchup

The Nationals called up rookie left-hander Andrew Alvarez (4.06 ERA, 57.2 innings pitched and 58 strikeouts) ahead of tonight’s matchup. Struggling Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola (5.61 ERA, 114 innings and 116 strikeouts) will try to find consistency; for all his struggles, he still knows how to rack up the K’s, but a WHIP of 1.45 means he’s playing with fire.Nola continues to showcase his reliable swing-and-miss ability, recording 9.16 strikeouts per nine innings.

Phillies vs. Alvarez

Newest Phillie Luis Arraez (2-for-4 with a triple) is  the only active player with more than one career at-bat against Alvarez; whether or not he’ll arrive in the City of Brotherly Love in time to start remains unclear.

Props

Nola’s strikeout line sits at 5.5, with the over offering appealing plus-money value at +117; his issue in hitting the over is staying in long enough to amass six strikeouts. With 33 strikeouts in 114 plate appearances against him, however, the Nationals’ lineup could give Nola a chance to feast.

Young pitchers like Alvarez are a dangerous bet. Slugger Hank Aaron said that he struggled most against rookies because he never knew exactly how their stuff would play, but Alvarez’s mixed results this season bode well for the top of the Phillies’ lineup.

Tidbits

• The Phillies have been reliable when favored this season, posting a 49-28 (.636) record as the betting favorite.
• Washington has struggled to a 37-46 (.446) record as the underdog this year.
• The under has been the prevailing trend for both clubs recently, hitting in 55 percent of Philadelphia’s last 20 games and 65 percent of Washington’s last 20.
• Despite their overall struggles, the Nationals have found success away from home, boasting a 32-24 (.571) road record.
• Philadelphia holds a narrow winning record at Citizens Bank Park this season, going 28-27 (.509).