MLB Betting- Phillies Bats Will Bruise Marquis

The defending National League champion Philadelphia Phillies take on the woeful Washington Nationals in an early-season N.L. East encounter.

MLB Game Odds:
Philadelphia Phillies -170
Cole Hamels – L
Washington Nationals +150
Jason Marquis – R

Run Line
Phillies -1.5 -115
Nationals +1.5 -105

Total:
9 O -115
9 U -105

Location: Nationals Park – Washington, DC
Game Time: Wednesday April 7, 2010 7:05 pm EST
TV: CSP/MASN

The Week That Was: Phillies

The owners of the last two N.L. pennants are ready to grab a third straight league crown. Manager Charlie Manuel has no easy outs in his lineup, with new acquisition Placido Polanco offering a very steady bat in the top third of the order. Polanco began his career as a Phillie with six RBIs and a grand slam on Monday, as Philadelphia bopped Washington, 11-1. What makes the Phillies so tough is that they have a great mix of power, alley-hitting capability, and speed. With different kinds of threats in their lineup, the Phillies will keep opposing pitching staffs off balance. As for pitching, Philadelphia might have lost Cliff Lee to Seattle, but the Fightin’ Phils acquired Roy Halladay from Toronto. On Monday, the big-time ex-Blue Jay claimed a win in his Opening Day start.

The Week That Was: Nationals

The team managed by Jim Riggleman is no better than it was under former skipper Manny Acta. Washington might be good in the future, when phenom and top draft pick Stephen Strasburg develops into a big-time ace. For now, though, the Nationals appear headed for another difficult season and a lower-division finish in the National League East.

Last year, Washington pitchers issued 629 walks and posted an ERA of 5.00, both worst in the National League. In Monday’s season opener against the Phillies, the Nats coughed up 11 runs on 13 hits and nine walks in an 11-1 defeat. Even with the pickup of Jason Marquis (in a two-year, $15 million deal), this is not a team rich in pitching. It’s simply going to be a struggle for this team over the long haul.

The Matchup

Philadelphia went 15-3 against Washington last season. The Phillies are 14-4 at Washington over the past two seasons. Philadelphia starter Cole Hamels is 5-1 with a 1.34 ERA in his last nine starts against the Nationals. Those three stats point toward a comfortable win for the Phils. The quality of each team’s lineup should also go a long way toward determining who has the upper hand on Wednesday night in the nation’s capital.

Marquis is Washington’s No. 2 starter, but the seasoned veteran gave up 21 runs in 20.67 innings during spring training. Marquis might pitch better than expected and maintain some suspense at Nationals Park, but the visitors from the state of Pennsylvania are simply too deep, balanced and skilled for Washington to rate as a favorite. Take Philadelphia in this game.

MLB Betting Pick: Phillies