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Washington Nationals vs Philadelphia Phillies August 15th 2025
The Philadelphia Phillies are set to play the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. The Phillies hold a record of 69-52 and are first in the NL East. They are looking to break a three-game losing streak. The Nationals, with a record of 49-72, sit in fifth place in the division. They are coming off two wins and aim to continue their positive momentum.
Zack Wheeler will start on the mound for the Phillies. He has an ERA of 2.68 and a WHIP of 0.93. The Nationals will counter with MacKenzie Gore, who has an ERA of 4.09 and a WHIP of 1.33. The game will be played on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 6:45 PM. Expect light rain and a warm evening in Washington, DC.
Phillies vs Nationals Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals
- Venue: Nationals Park in Washington, DC
- Date: Friday, August 15, 2025
- Betting Odds: Phillies Moneyline -175, Nationals Moneyline +148
The Phillies Can Win If…
The Philadelphia Phillies are coming off a close 3-2 loss against the Washington Nationals. Despite the loss, the Phillies showed strong hitting with ten hits, led by Trea Turner who went 3 for 5. Jesús Luzardo pitched six innings, giving up only three earned runs and striking out seven, showing potential for the pitching staff.
The Phillies have a solid batting average of .253, ranking sixth in the league. Their on-base percentage is also impressive at .322, placing them fifth. With key hitters like Kyle Schwarber, who has 42 home runs, the Phillies have the firepower to turn the game in their favor.
Zack Wheeler will start for the Phillies, carrying an ERA of 2.68 and a WHIP of 0.93. His performance could be a game-changer against the Nationals’ lineup. With Wheeler on the mound and a strong lineup, the Phillies have a good chance to secure a win.
The Nationals Can Win If…
The Washington Nationals are coming off a narrow 3-2 win against the Philadelphia Phillies. Brad Lord pitched six innings, allowing two runs and striking out three batters. Paul DeJong hit a home run, contributing to the team’s victory with two runs and an RBI.
The Nationals have shown strength in their hitting lineup. They rank 10th in doubles with 198 and are 7th in stolen bases with 101. CJ Abrams leads the team with a .266 batting average and has 16 home runs this season.
MacKenzie Gore will start on the mound for the Nationals. He holds a 4.09 ERA and has 10 strikeouts in his last outing against the Giants. The Nationals will look to continue their winning momentum at home against the Phillies.
The Lean
The Phillies are favored with a moneyline of -175 against the Nationals at +148. The Phillies have a stronger batting average and on-base percentage compared to the Nationals. With a better pitching ERA and quality starts, the Phillies are likely to win. The model projects a score of Phillies 5, Nationals 3.
The total for the game is set at 8.0 runs. The Phillies’ pitching staff ranks 6th in ERA, while the Nationals struggle with a 5.33 ERA, ranking 29th. Given the Phillies’ strong pitching and the Nationals’ weaker offense, the game should stay under 8 runs. The model’s projected total is 8 runs, aligning with the under bet at -115.
Stay Ahead of the Diamond
MLB Data & Insights
Nationals Plot to Extend Phillies’ Offensive Slump
The Philadelphia Phillies will try to end their three-game losing streak when they face the Washington Nationals in the second game of their four-game set on Friday night. Thursday’s series opener ended in a 3-2 Nationals win, marking Philadelphia’s longest losing skid since late June.
The Phillies collected 10 hits in the opener but struggled again with runners in scoring position, going just 1-for-6 and stranding eight baserunners. This continues a frustrating trend, as they went hitless in such situations in their previous two losses to the Cincinnati Reds, managing only one run combined.
“I think we’re probably trying to do a little too much at the plate,” manager Rob Thomson said. “We’ve got to get back to using the entire field, doing the little things, and big things will happen.”
Those looking for wagering insight on this NL East matchup can find updated MLB picks and scores & odds before first pitch.
Probable Pitching Matchup
| Pitcher | Team | W-L | ERA | WHIP | Career vs Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zack Wheeler | Phillies | 10-5 | 2.68 | 0.97 | 14-15, 4.32 ERA in 37 starts vs. WSH |
| MacKenzie Gore | Nationals | 5-12 | 4.09 | 1.35 | 1-4, 4.40 ERA in 11 appearances vs. PHI |
Wheeler has been sharp against Washington this year, logging two quality starts but settling for no-decisions both times. Gore, meanwhile, was dominant against Philadelphia on Opening Day, tossing six shutout innings with 13 strikeouts.
The Nationals (winners of four of their last six) are getting contributions from young players like Jose Tena, whose seventh-inning two-run single Thursday proved to be the game-winner. Outfielder Dylan Crews also returned from the injured list with a hit, a walk, and a stolen base.
“We have young players, and we want to see what they can do in the last month, month and a half,” interim manager Miguel Cairo said.
Team Performance Snapshot
| Team | Last 10 Games | Season Record | Runs Per Game | Runs Allowed Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phillies | 5-5 | 69-51 | 4.6 | 3.9 |
| Nationals | 6-4 | 55-66 | 4.0 | 4.8 |
With playoff positioning on the line for Philadelphia, and Washington playing spoiler, this matchup has both betting intrigue and storyline drama. Fans can check the expert MLB betting guide for analysis ahead of Friday’s first pitch.
