Phillies vs. Nationals Preview: Odds, Pitching Matchup and Props for Aug. 5

The Phillies aim to push their winning streak to five games starting at 6:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5, sending rookie Andrew Painter to the mound against the Washington Nationals. Philadelphia (61-53) emerged on the other side of a brutal post-All-Star Break slump, righting the ship against the struggling Orioles and Nationals (55-60).

Painter started the season with a brutal run, then rebounded for a quality start in his return to the big leagues. Fans can tune in to NBC Sports Philadelphia as he tries to build on that momentum in front of the Citizens Bank Park faithful.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: WSH +171 / PHI -191
• Run Line: WSH +1.5 (-128) / PHI -1.5 (+106)
• Over/Under: 9.5 (Over -113 / Under -107)

Weather

Afternoon showers should clear up before 7 p.m., although that could cause a delayed start. Temperatures will sit around 83 degrees at scheduled first pitch, humidity remaining constant and above 80 percent even after the rain. A breeze out of the south-southeast will range between 4 and 9 miles per hour, doing little to impact how the ball flies.

Pitching Matchup

The Nationals will send right-hander Jake Irvin (5.56 ERA, 56.2 innings pitched, 1.32 WHIP, 9.37 K/9) to the mound as they try to snap a five-game losing streak. Painter (6.72 ERA, 71 innings pitched, 1.61 WHIP, 7.48 K/9), on the other hand, will try to continue his recent turnaround as he faces this NL East foe for the second time in his career. Bullpens could get involved early if things go hairy… or if the rain doesn’t exhaust itself before the game starts.

Phillies vs. Jake Irvin

The Phillies’ lineup has plenty of familiarity with Irvin, posting a career average of .281 (43-for-153) with eight doubles, six homers, 10 walks and 21 strikeouts. Bryson Stott (7-for-19) leads the way with two home runs and five RBI; J.T. Realmuto adds a stellar .400 batting average (6-for-15) with a homer. Additionally, Edmundo Sosa (4-for-12 with a double) and Bryce Harper (4-for-13 with a double and three walks) see the ball well out of Irvin’s hand.

Leadoff man Kyle Schwarber (3-for-19 with a homer) struggles against Irvin, however, and new Phillie Luis Arraez (3-for-12 with two doubles) hits well below his typical career rates despite some pop.

Props

The prop market starts with Painter’s strikeout line, set at a modest -3.5. He fanned eight batters over 5.1 innings against the Nationals in his big league debut, and they’ll play without star James Wood tonight. Odds for the over currently sit at -164.

At the plate, Bryson Stott (+131) and J.T. Realmuto (+144) draw lucrative odds to surpass 1.5 total bases, another solid play given their career success against Irvin.

Tidbits

• Philadelphia has posted a 30-27 record at Citizens Bank Park this season, and the under has been the slightly more profitable play, hitting in 47.4 percent of those home contests compared to 40.4 percent for the over.
• The Washington Nationals have struggled mightily as of late, managing just a 2-8 record over their last 10 games.
• Despite their recent woes, Washington has played solid baseball away from home this year, posting a 32-26 record (.552 win percentage) in road games.
• The under has hit in 60.0 percent of the Nationals’ last 10 games.