Washington Nationals vs Philadelphia Phillies Prediction, Preview and Odds - 08/04/2026

Game Time: 6:40 pm ET, Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Venue:  Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Where to Watch:  MLB TV

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Nationals +187, Phillies -230; Over/Under:  9 runs

Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Nationals +185, Phillies -225; Over/Under:  9 runs

BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Nationals +185, Phillies -225; Over/Under:  9 runs

Washington Nationals:  55-58 (4th place, NL East)

Philadelphia Phillies:  59-53 (2nd place, NL East)

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Washington Nationals:  3-7 last 10

Philadelphia Phillies:  3-7 last 10

The Nationals are entering this series off a loss and got swept in their 4-game series against the Atlanta Braves 4-0 in their last series. They enter this game with a 55-58 record overall and have a road record of 32-24. This is the 2nd game of a 4-game series with the Phillies on Tuesday with the series opener still to be played on Monday. Their offense ranks 2nd in the MLB with a .769 OPS. Andrew Alvarez is their starting pitcher on Monday while Zack Littell is making his start in this game on Tuesday. He is 7-8 with a 4.94 ERA this season. His team lost their last 5 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season appearance, he allowed 0 ER, 0 HR, and 3 BB with 2 SO on 4 hits through 4.2 IP against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Phillies are entering this series off a win and won their 3-game series against the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 59-53 record overall and have a home record of 28-27. This is the 2nd game of a 4-game series with the Nationals on Tuesday with the 1st game of this series still to be played on Monday. Their offense ranks 22nd in the MLB with a .705 OPS. Aaron Nola is their starting pitcher on Monday while Jesús Luzardo is making his start in this game on Tuesday. He is 9-5 with a 3.57 ERA this season. His team lost their last 2 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 6 earned runs, 1 homer, and 3 walks with 5 strikeouts on 6 hits through 6.1 innings pitched against the Miami Marlins.

The current betting odds have the Phillies listed as a big favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Phillies have looked good in their games this season with their 59-53 record overall which has them right near the top of the NL East. They have looked good in their own ballpark too with their 28-27 home record this season. Meanwhile, the Nationals haven't looked great in their games this season with their 55-58 record overall which has them right near the bottom of the NL East. They have been a great road team though with their 32-24 road record this year. The Nationals have been a really frisky team all season, but lately they haven't looked good. They are 3-7 in their last 10 games and they are starting to fall apart at the worst time with the trade deadline here. The Phillies are also 3-7 in their last 10 games and haven't looked any better lately, but they do have some momentum after winning their last series against the Orioles and they are going to have the better pitching matchup here too. The Phillies are going with Luzardo in this one and he has looked good all season. He is 9-5 with a 3.57 ERA and he hasn't been giving up many runs. He did give up 6 earned runs in his last start and the team has lost 2 games in a row now with him starting, but that hasn't been a common theme for him and he will be looking to have a better start at home. The Nationals are going with Littell in this one and he hasn't looked great this season. He is 7-8 with a 4.94 ERA and he has been giving up a ton of runs all year. He is coming off a great start in which he gave up no runs, but that hasn't been a common theme for him this season and the team has still lost 5 games in a row now with him starting. The Nationals also have one of the worst bullpens in MLB too, so look for the Phillies to take advantage of this pitching matchup at home as they get themselves back on track. The best way to place a bet here is on the Phillies to win this game and on the runline. 

Nationals Phillies Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Tuesday, August 4, 2026 (6:40 pm ET start time) is Phillies 6 Nationals 3.

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Washington Nationals: 98-119 (+24.6 units) on the moneyline in road games. 146-199 (+15.2 units) on the moneyline as an underdog of +100 or higher. 61-73 (+10.2 units) on the moneyline against left-handed starters. 16-6 OVER as a road underdog of +150 or more.

Philadelphia Phillies: 77-63 (-6.9 units) on the moneyline against division opponents. 54-53 (-5.7 units) on the moneyline vs. good power teams - averaging 1.25 or more HR's/game. 73-51 (-5.1 units) on the moneyline vs. NL teams allowing 4.5 or more runs/game on the season. 10-6 OVER as a favorite of -175 to -250.

Washington Nationals:  A. Chaparro (1B) Day To Day - Head. P. Poulin (RP) Sixty Day IL - Flexor. C. Early (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Elbow. D. Millas (C) Ten Day IL - Finger. B. Lord (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Side. M. Parker (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. R. Lovelady (RP) Sixty Day IL - Triceps. K. Waldichuk (SP) Sixty Day IL - Forearm. J. Gray (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. D. Herz (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow.

Philadelphia Phillies:  T. Banks (RP) Sixty Day IL - Forearm. R. Marchan (C) Ten Day IL - Knee. B. Keller (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. L. Trivino III (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Back. J. Rojas (CF) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. A. Garcia (RF) Sixty Day IL - Lat.

“He's an unbelievable person, an unbelievable teammate, unbelievable leader for this clubhouse, unbelievable player. You name it, he's done everything we've asked him to. [He’s] taken to a new position, obviously. Then what he's meant to us in the lineup and what he's done offensively, he's been a huge part of our team, a huge part of our success. However this shakes out, we'll always love Luis and he can always play on my team.” - Blake Butera on the team trading away Luis Garcia Jr. to the Yankees.

“I never worry about Bryce, honestly, because I know he doesn't really worry.” - Don Mattingly after his team’s win against the Orioles in their game on Sunday. 

James Wood (L) RF

Daylen Lile (L) LF

Dylan Crews (R) CF

CJ Abrams (L) SS

Keibert Ruiz (S) C

José Tena (L) DH

Nasim Nuñez (S) 2B

Jorbit Vivas (L) 3B

Andrés Chaparro (R) 1B

Trea Turner (R) SS

Kyle Schwarber (L) DH

Bryce Harper (L) 1B

Alec Bohm (R) 3B

Brandon Marsh (L) LF

J.T. Realmuto (R) C

Bryson Stott (L) 2B

Justin Crawford (L) CF

Bryan De La Cruz (R) RF

Batting Average:  Abimelec Ortiz (.500)

Hits:  CJ Abrams (117)

Home Runs:  James Wood (30)

RBI:  CJ Abrams (85)

Stolen Bases:  Nasim Nuñez (40)

Wins:  Foster Griffin (12)

Saves:  Clayton Beeter (11)

ERA:  Trevor Williams (0.00)

Batting Average:  Bryan De La Cruz (.450)

Hits:  Trea Turner (112)

Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber (33)

RBI:  Bryce Harper (66)

Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott (19)

Wins:  Cristopher Sánchez (14)

Saves:  Jhoan Duran (24)

ERA:  Bryse Wilson (0.00)

Managers:

Washington Nationals: Blake Butera (1st season)

Philadelphia Phillies: Don Mattingly (Interim)