I already wrote about how I like the Nationals to cover this game tonight in my MLB Best Bets column for today on DKN. Having said that, I break the game down in much more detail below, mostly by waxing rhapsodic about Nats’ starter Jake Irvin. Don’t get me wrong—I love me some Cristopher Sánchez, too. You’ll see. Below, I’ve got my preview, prediction, and best bet for this Wednesday night baseball game between the Phillies and the Nationals.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
Phillies vs. Nationals prediction, preview
Tonight, the Washington Nationals are stepping into Philadelphia with a fire lit under them, and they’re not backing down. With Jake Irvin on the mound, the Nationals have an underrated-and-perhaps-blossoming stud. His 3.19 ERA and 1.01 WHIP scream real dominance, and his recent performance against the Mets—holding them to just one earned run over 7.1 innings—shows he’s built for this stage. Irvin has been the steady hand the Nationals need, striking out batters and executing in high-leverage situations. On the other side, Cristopher Sánchez has been serviceable but shaky, especially after a rough two-inning outing where he surrendered four runs. With Sánchez’s history of early exits and Philly’s unreliable bullpen, the Nationals have all the tools to exploit this matchup.
On offense, the Nationals are making noise. James Wood, with his nine home runs and scorching .300 average over the last five games, is on fire, ready to punish any mistake Sánchez makes. Nathaniel Lowe, with 23 RBI to his name, is ready to add to that tally. Keibert Ruiz is providing a .303 batting average, which only adds to Washington’s growing offensive depth. This team thrives against lefties, and Sánchez is walking into a hornet’s nest tonight. The Nationals’ offense is quietly becoming a dangerous weapon, and with power hitters like Wood and Lowe locked in, they have all the firepower needed to challenge a weak Phillies pitching staff.
Nationals vs. Phillies pick, best bet
The Phillies, though favored, have glaring holes in their game. While Kyle Schwarber and Bryson Stott can power the offense, the Phillies’ pitching staff—especially their bullpen—has been a liability. The Nationals have capitalized on this in their recent matchups, consistently outperforming expectations when they’re the underdog. Washington has won five of their last eight games as road underdogs, and with the Phillies struggling to cover the run line in their last few divisional games, this is the perfect spot for the Nationals to keep it close, if not pull off the upset.
Washington’s steady pitching and emerging offensive force put them in a prime position to cover the +1.5 spread tonight. Irvin’s solid form on the mound will keep the Nationals in this game, and with Sánchez’s potential for an early exit, the Nationals will have plenty of opportunities to strike. Philadelphia’s bullpen struggles, combined with their inconsistent form, make this a prime chance for the Nationals to cover, regardless of the final score.
Best bet: Nationals +1.5 (-110) at Phillies
Nationals bounce back after losing by 14(!) the other night—tail it with me in the DKN Betting Group here!
