After having a firm grasp on 1st place in the division for most of the season, the Phillies have fallen to 2.5 GB from the red hot Braves in the East. The June 17th MLB free betting pick sees Philadelphia traveling to Washington where oddsmakers have made the Nationals -135 favorites. This tilt should be a good pitching matchup (Arrieta vs. Corbin), but oddsmakers have set the total at a somewhat high 9.5.
Harper Goes Back to Washington Yet Again
One of the big storylines for the June 17th MLB free betting pick is Bryce Harper once again returning to Washington, where he played for 7 seasons. Harper got his first trip to Nationals Park out of the way in early April going 5-7 and drawing 3BB’s in a 2-game series. The Phillies could use some offense after dropping 2 of 3 to Atlanta over the weekend including a 1-15 shellacking on Sunday. There are a few Philadelphia batters who are hot however. Scott Kingery has an OBP of .542 with 4 HR’s in the last 6 games and Rhys Hoskins has an OBP of .520 over that span.
Jake Arrieta takes the ball for Philadelphia on Monday. The right-hander has had some rough outings lately, giving up 5ER in consecutive starts vs. both the Dodgers and Padres. Arrieta did buckle things down last time out though, holding the Diamondbacks to 3ER in 6.0 IP. Arrieta held Washington to 2ER over 6IP in a start at Citizens Bank Park on May 4th. The Nationals have hit .273 as a team vs. the Phillies starter.
Washington Playing Better Lately
Washington has won 5 of their last 8 including 2 of the last 3 vs. Arizona. The Nats’ have scored 25 runs over the last 3 games which is one reason the June 17th MLB free betting pick total seems on the high side at 9.5. Anthony Rendon continues to stay hot, going 8 for his last 24 with 4 HRs. Both Adam Eaton and Howie Kendrick also have an OBP above .550 over the past week so the Nationals should have some offensive chances vs. Philadelphia Monday.
It’s Patrick Corbin facing Arrieta from Nationals Park in this tilt. The left-hander has been getting rocked as of late, allowing 16ER in his last 3 starts (12.2 IP). All of those outings were on the road however where Corbin’s ERA is 5.91 compared to 2.32 at home. Corbin did get the start vs. Philadelphia on May 4th, allowing 3ER in 6.0 IP. Washington has hit .270 against him as a team.
Trends
- Phillies are 2-5 last 7 overall
- Phillies are 1-4 last 5 vs. LH starter
- Phillies are 4-1 in Arrieta’s last 5 starts
- Nationals are 7-3 last 10 home games
- Nationals are 1-4 in Corbin’s last 5 starts
- Phillies are 9-19 last 28 in Washington
June 17th MLB Free Betting Pick
Monday’s series opener is a tough one to call as both pitchers have struggled, but also have the stuff to dominate their opponents. Ultimately, Corbin has been so good at home that it gives Washington the edge.
MLB Free Pick: Washington Nationals -135
