Free MLB Picks Today: Philadelphia Phillies vs Washington Nationals 6/30/23

The Washington Nationals (32-48) take one of the least productive offenses in the National League on the road to face the Philadelphia Phillies (43-37) at Citizens Bank Park on Friday for the first of a three-game series.

The Nationals are kicking off the final series of their nine-game road trip. They won two out of three in their last series against the Mariners, taking the finale 4-1 on Wednesday at T-Mobile Park.

Keibert Ruiz was 2 for 3 with two RBIs.The Phillies are coming off a three-game sweep of the Cubs, taking the finale 3-1 on Thursday at Wrigley Field for their fourth straight win. Trea Turner went 2 for 4 with a double and one run.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Phillies have won two of three in the season series between the NL East rivals, including an 11-3 victory in their most recent meeting on June 4 at Nationals Park. Starter Ranger Suarez got the win, giving up one run on eight hits over seven innings.

ON THE MOUND

Josiah Gray (5-6, 3.43 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Washington. The righty threw 5.1 scoreless innings in his last start, a 2-0 home win over the Padres on Saturday. He was credited with the win, scattering four hits while striking out six and walking four.

Gray has made one previous start against the Phillies this season, an 8-7 home victory on June 2. He surrendered four runs on six hits over 5.1 innings, striking out four and walking two. Southpaw Cristopher Sanchez (0-1, 4.05 ERA) gets the ball for Philadelphia.

It’s his first appearance of the season against the Nationals. Sanchez made three appearances against the Nationals in 2022, including one start, striking out five and walking four over 11 innings (1-0, 4.91).

In his last start on Saturday, Sanchez took the loss at home against the Mets. He threw five innings and gave up three runs on five hits, striking out four, in the 4-2 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Washington offense is averaging 4.2 runs per game for the season, the third lowest in the National League, with a slash line of .261/.319/.395. Lane Thomas leads the team in OPS at .859. The center fielder is slashing .298/.346/.513 with 14 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 56 runs over 79 games.

Against lefties like Sanchez this season, the Nats have a .766 OPS. Thomas also is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a 1.118 OPS in 98 at-bats.

Philadelphia is slashing .257/.321/.417 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game. Nick Castellanos leads the team with a .846 OPS. The right fielder has 10 home runs, 49 RBIs, and 47 runs scored with a slash line of .309/.354/.492.

The Phils have a .740 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .895 OPS over 170 at-bats, Brandon Marsh has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Washington is 19-21 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.7 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Philadelphia has gone 21-14 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. Philadelphia is 9-1 in the last 10 games between the teams at Citizens Bank Park with an average scoreline of 7.4-3.1.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, 21 games behind the division-leading Braves. The Phillies are third in the NL East, 10 games behind the Braves.