MLB Lines – Phillies vs Nationals
The Nationals (27-28) are known for their wealth of talented pitching. Some hurlers are helping DC hang around the NL East divisional race – but it’s not the pitchers you might think.
Date/Time: Tuesday, June 3 2014, 7:05 pm EST
Venue: Nationals Park, Washington DC
Philly +165, Washington -190
Over/Under: 7.5
Pitching Match-up: David Buchanan (1-1, 3.98 ERA) vs. Jordan Zimmermann (3-2, 4.07 ERA)
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Young stud Stephen Strasburg, offseason acquisition Doug Fister and previously unknown Tanner Roark are pitching strong enough to keep the Nats in the discussion, but other lauded starters – Gio Gonzalez and Tuesday night’s pitcher Jordan Zimmermann come to mind – have not lived up to the billing.
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The Nats have not been as strong as everyone predicted at the outset, but that can be largely attributed to the injury bug. Franchise cornerstones Gonzalez and 3B/OF Ryan Zimmerman have missed time and various other contributors have been dinged up.
Washington has one of the more well-rounded teams in the bigs when everyone is taking the field, but every team eventually encounters a year where it seems like players just can’t stay healthy.
As far as the Phillies (24-31) are concerned, it’s a fight to keep a team relevant that, I think there is finally universal consensus, is over the hill.
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Staff ace Cliff Lee hasn’t been as strong as usual, but he’s still Philly’s best starter. Philly’s top bats (34-year old Ryan Howard; 36-year old Marlon Byrd; 35-year olds Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins) are on the downside of strong careers and the team is in the NL East basement.
The Phils are coming off an 11-2 drubbing at the hands of the divisional rival New York Mets, and the Mets are a team that no one would confuse with an offensive juggernaut. It probably was time to blow up the Phillies and rebuild a while ago, but with similar results in 2014, it will certainly happen this offseason.
Rookie David Buchanan will take the bump for Philadelphia. He’s actually pitched quite well in limited action this season, so he’ll look to give his team a fighting chance against a sputtering Zimmermann.
For Philly to win this divisional game, Rollins and speedy OF Ben Revere must get on base, and Howard must take a break from striking out in order to cash some RBI. Zimmermann’s ERA over four doesn’t accurately portray his talent, so if he gets dialled in, it could be a long night for the visitors.
Veteran OF Jayson Werth is an offensive cog for Washington, but youthful 3B Anthony Rendon started the season extremely hot yet his numbers have tapered off of late. To restore the dynamism of DC’s batting order, Rendon has to revert back to his April production.
Shortstop Ian Desmond is leading the team in home runs (10) and RBI (32), but he shouldn’t be hitting .226 and he too can reach a next level of mashing.
MLB Prediction
If the Nationals can tread water until they get healthy and then get a bit of luck sprinkled in, they can still scrap with the Atlanta Braves for NL East supremacy. If some of the worrying trends continue, the East should be Atlanta’s for the taking.
But the Nats can rest easy that Philadelphia is probably not a serious competitor for the divisional crown this year.
Washington 8, Philadelphia 4
Take the OVER
