MLB Baseball
2026-09-15 - Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : Major League Baseball
Tuesday 15th September 2026 - Scheduled 6:45pm EST
11:45pm (British Time)
Preview
The schedule for the final week of the regular season looks very challenging for the Philadelphia Phillies (83-67), but they cannot think too far ahead. They just dropped two of three to the Atlanta Braves, which means the Phillies are unlikely to chase this rival down in the race for the National League East, but Philadelphia also need to be careful that they do not fall out of the top three positions in the Wild Card race.
Back to back Divisional series will be a test, even if the Phillies are facing two opponents who are looking forward to the end of the season.
An opportunity to play spoiler should be a motivation for the Washington Nationals (70-81), but this is a team that were on the edge of the Wild Card race before trading away key pieces ahead of the deadline. Those decisions have clearly knocked the confidence of the team and allowed younger players to have opportunities to impress.
With that in mind, Jackson Kent will be going out for his seventh start in his rookie season and he has a 1-4 record with a 6.59 ERA in the previous seven. Two or three opportunities remain in the 2026 season, although Kent has allowed at least three earned runs in five of the six starts made.
In two starts this month, Jackson Kent has suffered consecutive decision defeats after allowing eight earned runs in 8 Innings thrown. Those have both been against Playoff chasing teams on the road, but Jackson Kent can take some encouragement from holding the Miami Marlins to a single run in 7 Innings thrown in his last start at home, which also resulted in a first Major League decision in his favour.
He will be facing the Phillies batting lineup for the first time and Jackson Kent will need to be operating as close to his best as possible if he is going to be able to duel the Philadelphia starter.
Cristopher Sanchez has a 17-5 record and 2.79 ERA in his thirty starts this season and he is set to be a key figure for the Phillies and how far they are going to be able travel in the Playoff.
However, Sanchez will also be trying to show that he has not hit the wall very late on in the regular season after allowing at least three runs in three of the last four starts made. Most recently, Cristopher Sanchez was rocked for six runs in 6 Innings thrown against the Houston Astros, but was grateful to the batting lineup for preventing him factoring into a decision loss.
Instead Cristopher Sanchez earned the win, but he will note that he needs to be better if the Phillies are going to make the Playoff.
He holds a 1-0 record and 4.70 ERA in three starts against the Washington Nationals this season, while the worst of those starts occurred right here in this ballpark where Cristopher Sanchez allowed five runs in 5 Innings thrown.
The starter can take confidence from the fact the Philadelphia Phillies have won six of the last seven against the Washington Nationals.
Prediction
Both starting pitchers are looking to bounce back from rough outings this month, but Cristopher Sanchez has to believe the Philadelphia batting lineup can offer the superior support.
They have been struggling for consistency, but the Phillies can get after Jackson Kent and that should free Cristopher Sanchez to produce something close to his best form on the mound.
Jackson Kent did have a very strong showing in his last home start, but the Nationals may not be as productive at the plate and that may lead to another Philadelphia win in this series.
The Pick :
Washington Nationals 4-7 Philadelphia Phillies
