Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals Odds, Spread, and Total
Two NL East rivals will open the season against each other as the Philadelphia Phillies head south to take on the Washington Nationals. The Phillies dominated this matchup in 2024,…
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 15: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the top of the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on August 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Two NL East rivals will open the season against each other as the Philadelphia Phillies head south to take on the Washington Nationals. The Phillies dominated this matchup in 2024, winning nine of the thirteen matchups against the Nationals en route to an NLDS exit.
The expectations surrounding these teams as they enter the 2025 season could not be more different. Philadelphia has been to the postseason in each of the last three years, making it as far as the World Series in 2022. Manager Rob Thomson is expected to lead his team to the postseason once again, despite playing in one of the best divisions in all of baseball. Opening Day starter Zach Wheeler will need to be a big part of that success.
The Nationals, on the other hand, will likely reside closer to the bottom of the division and the National League as a whole. Washington has not made a postseason appearance since before the COVID-19 pandemic, when they won the World Series in 2019. The roster is still in a rebuilding state, highlighted by young talent like shortstop CJ Abrams and right fielder Dylan Crews. Ace Mackenzie Gore has shined in Spring Training and will lead an inexperienced rotation. This young team has a chance to start things off right at home against a vaunted division rival.
Spread
- Phillies -1.5 (+103)
- Nationals +1.5 (-123)
Moneyline
- Phillies (-172)
- Nationals (+145)
Total
- OVER 7 (-119)
- UNDER (-101)
*The above data was collected on March 26, 2025, and may have changed since writing.
Phillies vs. Nationals Betting Trends
- The Phillies were 25-29 ATS as away favorites in 2024.
- The Phillies were 24-32 ATS in divisional games in 2024.
- The Phillies were 41-41 ATS on the road in 2024.
- The Nationals were 28-24 ATS in divisional games in 2024.
- The Nationals were 75-58 ATS as underdogs in 2024.
- Washington went 32-28 as home underdogs in 2024.
Phillies vs. Nationals Injury Reports
Philadelphia Phillies
- Ranger Suarez, LHP - Questionable
- Matt Strahm, LHP - Questionable
Washington Nationals
- Derek Law, RHP - Out
- Andres Chaparro, 1B - Out
Phillies vs. Nationals Predictions and Picks
Shane Jackson of BetMGM writes, "Based on the current MLB betting market, I like Philadelphia's moneyline value (-172) as my Phillies vs. Nationals prediction for Opening Day. There is only one team with steeper moneyline odds on Opening Day than the Phillies, but that's for a good reason. There is a clear pitching advantage for the visitors, with Wheeler recording a 2.57 ERA in 200 innings last year."
Jackson makes a good point. Wheeler is one of the best pitchers in the MLB, and the Nationals do not have the offensive pop to make this an intimidating matchup. On the flip side, Washington starter Gore should have a tough time against one of the best offensive lineups in the MLB. The Nationals' bullpen will not do the team any favors as they try to deal with Bryce Harper, Brandon Marsh, and Nick Castellanos. The price on Philadelphia's moneyline is a steep one, but it is fair to expect the Phillies to kick their season off with a win against an outmatched Washington team.
