The Philadelphia Phillies (25-31) take one of the lowest-scoring lineups in the NL on the road to face the Washington Nationals (24-32) at Nationals Park on Friday to open a three-game series. The Phillies are kicking off the final series of their 10-game road trip.
They were just swept in three games against the Mets, dropping the finale 4-2 on Thursday at Citi Field for their fourth straight loss. Nick Castellanos was 3 for 3 with one RBI.
The Nationals are playing the first of six games at home after finishing up a six-game road trip (3-3). They lost two of three against the Dodgers in their last series, taking the finale 10-6 on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.
Keibert Ruiz went 3 for 4 with two home runs, three runs, and three RBIs. Jeimer Candelario added a home run and three RBIs. The teams are meeting for the first time this season.
The Phillies dominated the 2022 season series between the NL East rivals (16-3), including three out of four in their most recent meeting at Nationals Park at the end of September.
ON THE MOUND
Zack Wheeler (4-4, 4.11 ERA) is in line for the start for Philadelphia. The RHP is tied for fifth in the NL in strikeouts (76). Wheeler threw eight scoreless innings in his last start, a 2-1 road win over the Braves on Saturday. He was credited with the win, giving up three hits while striking out 12 and walking one.
Over two starts against the Nationals in 2022, Wheeler was 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA over 12 innings. He had 10 strikeouts and no walks.For Washington, righty Josiah Gray (4-5, 2.65 ERA) will toe the rubber. Gray made three appearances against the Phillies in 2022, all as the starter, striking out 19 and walking seven over 16 innings (1-1, 4.50).
In his last start on Saturday, Gray took a no-decision on the road against the Royals. He threw four innings and gave up two runs on four hits, striking out four and walking three in the 4-2 win.
AT THE PLATE
The Philadelphia offense is averaging 4.1 runs per game for the season, the third lowest in the NL, with a slash line of .254/.318/.411. Brandon Marsh leads the team in OPS at .851. The right fielder is slashing .274/.374/.478 with five home runs, 22 RBIs, and 23 runs over 53 games.
Over the last five games, however, Philadelphia has averaged only 1.8 runs a game while slashing worse across the board (.200/.251/.300). Against right-handed pitchers like Gray this season, the Phils have a .741 OPS. Marsh also is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .861 OPS in 117 at-bats.
Washington is slashing .264/.329/.391 for the season and averaging 4.3 runs per game. Candelario leads the team with a .797 OPS. The third baseman has seven home runs, 25 RBIs, and 25 runs scored with a slash line of .265/.336/.461.
The Nats have a .683 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .859 OPS over 143 at-bats, Candelario also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Philadelphia is on a four-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 11-21 in 2023. The Phils have scored 3.8 runs per game away from home while allowing 5.6 runs.
Washington has gone 11-17 at their home park this season, averaging 3.6 runs per game while surrendering 5.0. In the last 10 games between the teams at Nationals Park, Philadelphia is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 6.0-4.4.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Phillies are fourth in the NL East, seven games behind the division-leading Braves. The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, nine games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Philadelphia Phillies (-185)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
