Zack Wheeler vs. Trevor Williams wraps up this week in baseball
On Sunday, August 20th, the Washington Nationals host the Philadelphia Phillies for a little Sunday Night Baseball. We have been regularly diving into MLB’s Sunday night game of the week this season, as we know these games will have a lot of eyeballs on them. So, keep reading to see how we’re playing this one! We’re entering the final stretch of what has been an exciting baseball season, and this meeting between two NL East division foes should be a fun one. With that said, you’ll want a little action on it.
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MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on August 20
Phillies vs. Nationals betting odds
Phillies -225 / Total: 8.5
For updated odds, check out our VSiN MLB Odds page!
Phillies vs. Nationals Side Analysis
These two have split games in this three-game series, so this Sunday night showdown will decide who takes it. The oddsmakers give a strong edge to Philadelphia, and it isn’t hard to see why. Not only are the Phillies the stronger offensive team in this game, but they also have the better starting pitcher on the mound in this one. Zack Wheeler is 9-5 with a 3.63 ERA and 160 strikeouts for Philadelphia this season. Meanwhile, Trevor Williams will be out there for Washington here, and the righty carries a 5-7 record and a 5.20 ERA heading into this game.
Overall, it just isn’t hard to figure out why the Phillies are such big favorites in this game. But if I had to make a play on a side in this one, I’d give a slight lean to the Nationals on the run line. It’s going off at +124 odds at DraftKings Sportsbook, which is a good price to be getting in a game like this. The reality is that Wheeler hasn’t pitched very well against the Nationals this season. He has allowed 14 earned runs in 14.2 innings against Washington, so this is a matchup that has been giving him fits. Meanwhile, Williams is a little better when pitching at home, and he also prefers pitching at night. So, it isn’t hard to envision a scenario in which he hurls some solid innings here.
It’s also just worth pointing out that the Nationals are a better team than people think, in general. Washington has also won six of its last eight games, so this is a team that is playing good baseball coming into this one. That said, I don’t see any value in backing Philadelphia at its current price. It also doesn’t hurt that this is a national television game, so you’ll see the Nationals looking to play well in this spot.
Phillies vs. Nationals Total Analysis
The Over has hit in each of the previous team two games in this series, and the starting pitching matchup in this one suggests another high-scoring game. Normally, Wheeler is a guy that can be relied on to shut down his opponents, but the Nationals have had his number this season. And he got shelled in his only previous trip to Nationals Park this year. With that in mind, Washington should be able to put up a few runs on him in this game. And Williams will definitely have some trouble with an explosive Philadelphia lineup.
It should also be noted that the Over is 15-7-2 in the 24 games that the Phillies have played on the road with a total of 9 to 9.5 this season. On top of that, the Over is 5-2-1 in Wheeler’s starts against divisional opponents this season.
Phillies vs. Nationals Best Bets
I like the Over in this game quite a bit, but I like the Nationals on the run line a little more. They haven’t been intimidated at all when facing Wheeler this season, and the +1.5 protects you in the event they lose a close game.
Picks: Nationals +1.5 (+124)
