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MLB Betting Preview: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals

August 8, 2023



Gamblers can encounter an exceptional divisional betting opportunity in Pennsylvania, with the spotlight on game two of the four-game series showcasing the Washington Nationals against the Philadelphia Phillies. Can the Phillies establish their dominance at home?


  • Date: Game 2 on August 8, 2023 at 6:40 PM ET

  • Location: Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

The Nationals had some positive momentum to enter this series, as they recently posted wins against the Milwaukee Brewers and won three straight against the Cincinnati Reds. Josiah Gray is expected to take the mound for game two but is 7-9 this year.

Their stats show signs of their struggles. Their batting average is around .259 and their opponent’s average is hovering .271. This reveals good offense, but they have difficulty limiting other teams from doing well at the plate.

Their earned run average is nearing 4.86 and their on base percentage has moved close to .319. They also have a slugging percentage coming around .400, which is slightly off of the league average.

The Nationals are last in the NL East by nearly 23 games and have no shot of catching the Atlanta Braves. They can still cause issues against other teams with their offense.

Philadelphia Phillies Betting Preview

The Phillies recently had respectable series matchups against the Kansas City Royals and Miami Marlins. They have good momentum here and need to continue winning to make a case in their division. Zack Wheeler is the probable starting pitcher for game two and is 8-5 on the year.

Their stats are slightly better on paper in comparison to the Nationals. Their batting average is around .256 and their opponents average is hovering .242. They can challenge them on offense and potentially hold them back some on defense.

Their earned run average is nearing 4.01 and their on base percentage has moved close to .322. They also have a slugging percentage coming around .416, which is moving closer to the league average.

The Phillies are second in the NL East by about 11 games behind the Braves. Anything productive earned from this series will go a long way to help them catch the Braves.

Game Odds, Series Trends and Free Pick

The following odds from MyBookie shows that the Philadelphia Phillies are moderate favorites to win game two. The market is estimating that the Phillies have a 65.9 percent chance to be victorious.


  • Washington Nationals: +220

  • Philadelphia Phillies: -270

  • *odds are subject to changes

The Nationals are nearly .500 on the road, while the Phillies are at their best at home. This has been a volatile matchup all season between these two, with the Phillies having the best scoring outbursts. Look for strong pitching and good offense to be key for the Phillies to win.

Final Pick: Take the Philadelphia Phillies to win at -270