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Philadelphia Phillies vs Washington Nationals August 22nd 2025
The Washington Nationals travel to Citizens Bank Park to play the Philadelphia Phillies. The Nationals have a 52-75 record and are fifth in the NL East. They have won their last two games and are 5-5 in their last 10 games.
The Phillies hold a strong 74-53 record, leading the NL East. They are on a four-game winning streak and are 6-4 in their last 10 games. The game will feature Cade Cavalli for the Nationals and Taijuan Walker for the Phillies as the starting pitchers.
Nationals vs Phillies Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies
- Venue: Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA
- Date: Friday, August 22, 2025
- Betting Odds: Nationals Moneyline +143, Phillies Moneyline -169, Nationals Runline +1.5 (-143), Phillies Runline -1.5 (+120), Total Over 9.5 (-104), Total Under 9.5 (-116)
The Nationals Can Win If…
The Washington Nationals come into this game with momentum after a 9-3 win against the New York Mets. James Wood was a standout, driving in three runs with a home run. Brady House also contributed with three hits and two runs scored.
The Nationals have shown strong hitting capabilities, ranking 8th in doubles this season with 210. They also rank 7th in stolen bases, with 107 swipes, adding speed to their lineup. CJ Abrams leads the team with a .265 batting average and 16 home runs, providing consistent offensive production.
On the mound, Cade Cavalli will start for the Nationals with an impressive 2.20 ERA. His ability to keep hitters off balance will be key against the Phillies. With a recent win over the Mets and strong performances from key players, the Nationals have a solid chance to secure another victory.
The Phillies Can Win If…
The Philadelphia Phillies enter their next game with strong momentum. In their most recent game, they won 11-2 against the Seattle Mariners. Key performances came from Trea Turner, who went 5-for-6, and Kyle Schwarber, who drove in five runs.
The Phillies have been hitting well all season. They hold a team batting average of .258, which ranks second in the league. Their ability to get on base is also a strength, with an on-base percentage of .327, ranking fourth.
Taijuan Walker will take the mound for the Phillies. He has a solid ERA of 3.34 and aims to continue his consistent performance. With their strong hitting and reliable pitching, the Phillies have a good chance to secure another win at home.
The Lean
For the moneyline pick, the recommendation is to go with the Phillies at -169. The Phillies have a strong batting average ranked 2nd and a solid pitching ERA ranked 6th. The model projects the Phillies to win with a score of 6-4, making them the preferred choice.
For the over/under pick, the recommendation is to take the over at 9.5 (-104). Both teams have shown the ability to score runs, with the Nationals’ pitching ERA ranked 29th. The model projects a total score of 10 runs, suggesting that the over is a reasonable pick.
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Can Trea Turner Stay Hot as Phillies Host Nationals?
Trea Turner is riding a torrid stretch, looking like he’s seeing beach balls at the plate.
The Philadelphia Phillies shortstop is batting .522 (24-for-46) during a 10-game hitting streak and tied a career high with five hits in Wednesday’s 11-2 rout of the Seattle Mariners. That win completed a three-game sweep and extended the Phillies’ winning streak to four games.
“It feels like we’re kind of playing our best baseball right now,” Turner said. “Just everybody is contributing and it feels like a full team effort.”
Phillies’ Offense on Fire
| Player | August AVG | Notable |
|---|---|---|
| Trea Turner | .522 | 10-game hit streak, 5-hit game Wednesday |
| Bryson Stott | .354 | 17-for-48 in August |
| Kyle Schwarber | — | 45 HR, team leader |
Turner’s performance has fueled a Phillies offense that has racked up 40 runs over the last four games. Schwarber continues to power the lineup with his 45th home run of the season, while Stott and Max Kepler also had three-hit games Wednesday.
“It feels like he’s gotten three hits a game for the last three weeks,” Stott said of Turner.
Starting Pitching Matchup
| Pitcher | Team | Record | ERA | Recent Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cade Cavalli | Nationals | 1-0 | 2.20 | 7 IP, 0 R vs. Phillies (Aug. 16) |
| Taijuan Walker | Phillies | 4-6 | 3.34 | 6.2 IP, 2 R vs. Nationals |
Cade Cavalli earned his first MLB win last Saturday by shutting out the Phillies over seven innings, scattering seven hits and striking out five without walking a batter.
Taijuan Walker will take the mound again for Philadelphia. He delivered a strong start in that loss to Cavalli, giving up just two runs in 6 2/3 innings. With Zack Wheeler sidelined by a blood clot, Walker stays in the rotation for at least one more start.
Players to Watch
- James Wood (Nationals): Blasted a three-run homer Thursday vs. Mets; 6-for-35 (.171) vs. Phillies this season with 19 strikeouts.
- Brady House & Riley Adams: Combined for 5 hits, 3 RBIs Thursday against New York.
Standings Snapshot (NL East)
| Team | Record | GB |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Phillies | 74-51 | — |
| New York Mets | 67-58 | 7.0 |
| Washington Nationals | 61-65 | 13.5 |
The Phillies currently sit atop the National League East, while the Nationals hope to spoil their rival’s momentum. With Turner locked in and the bats alive, Friday’s opener could be another offensive showcase.
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