Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies 9/9/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Washington Nationals open a three-game series on the road Friday versus the Philadelphia Phillies. Washington is 48-89 following its 6-5 loss to the St Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. Washington has lost two straight and the Nationals are last in the National League East, 38 ½ games behind the first-place New York Mets.

Catcher Keibert Ruiz is batting .251 to lead Washington and second baseman Cesar Hernandez is the leader in hits with 125. Left fielder Lane Thomas is the leader in home runs 15 and designated hitter Nelson Cruz has team highs in RBIs with 64 and on base percentage at .316. On Friday, the Washington Nationals will send Patrick Corbin to the mound. The left hander is 6-17 with a 6.28 ERA, 118 Ks and 46 BBs.

Philadelphia improved to 75-61 following its 4-3 victory over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. Edmundo Sosa hit a home run for the second consecutive game, finishing with three hits and an equal number of RBIs. Philadelphia is third in the National League East, 11 games behind the first-place New York Mets and second in the NL wild card chase.

Third baseman Alec Bohm is batting .292 to lead Philadelphia and has a team-high 143 hits. Left fielder Kyle Schwarber is the leader in home runs with 36 and RBIs with 70, while catcher JT Realmuto is the leader in on-base percentage at .342. On Friday, the Philadelphia Phillies will send Noah Syndergaard to the mound. The right-hander is 8-9 with a 4.07 ERA, 85 Ks and 28 BBs.