Sunday, September 7, 2014

Nationals Park in Washington D.C.

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The team at the top of the National League East will welcome the team at the bottom of the division to Nationals Park on Sunday afternoon. The Philadelphia Phillies will try to play spoiler to the Washington Nationals in this divisional matchup. The visiting Phillies will send left-hander Cole Hamels (8-6) against the Nationals and left-hander Gio Gonzalez (7-9).

This year has not been a good one for the Phillies, but as always, Hamels has been a bright spot. He is on pace to have the best season of his career when it comes to ERA. He has a 2.50 ERA this season in 169.1 innings and has now won 6 of his past 7 starts. Hamels has been so good this season that he hasn't allowed more than 3 earned runs in a start over his past 18 and is coming off a stellar six inning, no-hit performance with 7 strikeouts and 4 walks against the Atlanta Braves.

While Hamels has pitched as expected as or even better than expected this season, Gonzalez has failed to give the Nationals what they were expecting to get this season. He has a 3.89 ERA this season and has several stretches where he pitched well and pitched horribly. During a 6 start stretch between July 10 and Aug. 10, he was 0-5 and only exceeded 6 innings once. In his career against current members of the Phillies, Gonzalez has allowed 48 hits in 186 at-bats. Ben Revere and Grady Sizemore have each had great success against Gonzalez in limited experience.

Philadelphia Phillies Betting Trends

Philadelphia Phillies are 72-56-11 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Philadelphia Phillies is -0.4

Washington Nationals Betting Trends

Washington Nationals are 69-57-12 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Washington Nationals is 0.8

Injuries to Watch

Philadelphia Phillies

08/01/14 P Cliff Lee Elbow 15-day DL (7/31), out for season
06/20/14 3B Reid Brignac Ankle 15-day DL (6/20)

Washington Nationals

08/11/14 RF Steven Souza Shoulder 15-day DL (8/10)
08/07/14 P Taylor Jordan Elbow 60-day DL (8/5)
08/05/14 LF Nate McLouth Shoulder 60-day DL (8/2); out for season
07/25/14 P Matt Purke Elbow 60-day DL (7/25)
07/23/14 LF Ryan Zimmerman Hamstring 15-day DL (7/22)
03/29/14 P Ross Ohlendorf Back 60-day DL (3/26)
03/28/14 P Erik Davis Elbow 60-day DL (2/13)

Tony's Pick: Take Philadelphia

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