Nationals-Phillies Preview

If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Thursday when the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies meet at Citizens Bank Park. The Nationals will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Tim Redding in this game. Redding has a 8-8 record and a 4.66 ERA this season. It'll be Jamie Moyer toeing the rubber for the Phillies in this contest. Lefthander Moyer is 11-7 with a 3.64 ERA so far this season. NewBodog oddsmakers currently have the Phillies listed as 275-moneyline favorites versus the Nationals, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Brett Myers had nine strikeouts in a complete-game shutout on Wednesday, leading the Phillies in a 4-0 win over the Nationals. The Phillies won that game as -250 favorites, but the four runs went UNDER the night's posted over/under (9). Greg Dobbs led the way with a two-run blast, and Jayson Werth drove in a run for the Phillies. Myers earned his sixth win of the season. Collin Balester gave up four runs over six innings in suffering the loss. Oddsmakers had the Nationals listed as +220 underdogs. Current streak: Washington has lost 12 straight games. Philadelphia has won 3 straight games. Team records: Washington: 44-83 SU Philadelphia: 68-58 SU Washington most recently: When playing on Thursday are 3-7 Before playing Chi Cubs are 4-6 After playing Philadelphia are 3-7 After a loss are 0-10 Philadelphia most recently: When playing on Thursday are 8-2 Before playing LA Dodgers are 3-7 After playing Washington are 8-2 After a win are 5-5 A few trends to consider: Washington is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games Philadelphia is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Washington Next up: Washington at Chi Cubs, Friday, August 22 Philadelphia home to LA Dodgers, Friday, August 22