MLB Baseball
2019-04-03 - Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: MLB Baseball
Wednesday 3rd April 2019 - First Pitch 1:05pm
British Time: 6:05pm
Preview
The Major League Baseball 2019 season is still very much in its infancy, but the Philadelphia Phillies (4-0) are looking to make a statement by completing a two game sweep of a Divisional rival. Despite the signing of Bryce Harper by the Phillies from this rival, some still believed the Washington Nationals (1-3) came into the season as the team to beat in the National League East.
The boo-birds were out in force to remind Harper of his decision to leave the Nationals and join a Divisional rival, but the hitter showed why he has been given the big money by smashing a Home Run to silence the taunts. The Phillies have opened this season very hot at the batting plate and they will be looking to keep that going through this series before returning home later this week.
Philadelphia will give the ball to Aaron Nola who pitched on Opening Day for the Phillies and led them to a win over the Atlanta Braves to begin a sweep of the current National League East Champions. Nerves could have affected the pitcher early in that game as he struggled with his command, but eventually Nola was able to right the ship and earned the decision win to move to 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA.
Last season Nola improved his overall numbers against the Washington Nationals as he was given a 3-1 record from the five starts made against this Divisional rival. Strike outs were common place and the Nationals struggled to make enough connections against Nola, while losing Harper in the off-season and Trea Turner to an injury from the first game on Tuesday.
The Nationals will counter with Anibal Sanchez who is making his first start of the 2019 season having had something of a bounce back season with the Atlanta Braves after signing for them ahead of the 2018 season. That one year deal saw Sanchez produced a 7-6 record with a 2.83 ERA before being signed by Washington and he will be hoping his familiarity with the National League East can see him pick up from where he left off in 2018.
Sanchez has had a difficult time pitching against the Philadelphia Phillies throughout his career and now faces a hot batting line up that are averaging almost eight runs per game. The Nationals have to be aware that the bullpen is not producing as well as they would like so they will need Sanchez to dig in and find his best stuff on the mound, especially if the Washington batting line up is struggling for the consistency they would want too.
Prediction
The big hits are likely to come from the Phillies who have the edge on the mound and also in the bullpen. Of course they will cool off at some point in a very long season, but I think Bryce Harper can inspire the visitors to a win here.
The Pick :
Washington Nationals 3-5 Philadelphia Phillies
