Phillies vs. Nationals prediction, odds, start time: 2025 MLB picks, best bets for August 22 by proven model

The Philadelphia Phillies will look to extend their winning streak to five games when they take on the Washington Nationals in the first of a three-game series on Friday night. Philadelphia is coming off a three-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners, while Washington won two of three games against the New York Mets. The Nationals (52-75), who are fifth in the National League East, are 27-36 on the road this season. The Phillies (74-53), who are first in the NL East, are 40-21 on their home field in 2025.

First pitch from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia is set for 6:45 p.m. ET. The Phillies have won six of the past 10 meetings with the Nationals. Philadelphia is a -172 favorite on the money line (risk $172 to win $100) in the latest Nationals vs. Phillies odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, while the total number of runs Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over-under, is 9.5. Before making any Nationals vs. Phillies picks, be sure to see the MLB predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model. New users can also target the DraftKings promo code, which offers $200 in bonus bets instantly plus over $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket:

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times. It enters Week 22 of the 2025 MLB season a profitable 33-24 on top-rated MLB money-line picks. It has excelled making home run prop picks this season, returning nearly 60 units of profit. Anybody following its MLB betting picks at sportsbooks and on betting sites could have seen strong returns.    

Now, the model has set its sights on Nationals vs. Phillies and just locked in its picks and MLB predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several MLB odds and betting lines for Phillies vs. Nationals:

Why the Phillies can win

Right-hander Taijuan Walker (4-6, 3.34 ERA) is expected to get the start for Philadelphia. In 26 games, including 15 starts, Walker has logged 91.2 innings, allowing 90 hits, 34 earned runs and 28 walks, while striking out 65. In a 2-0 loss at Washington on Saturday, he pitched 6.2 innings, allowing six hits, two earned runs and two walks, while striking out three. He received a no-decision in a 4-1 win against the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 11. In that game, he pitched six innings, allowing six hits, one earned run and one walk with two strikeouts.

Shortstop Trea Turner has been on fire. He is on a 10-game hitting streak, recording multiple hits in six of those. In Wednesday’s 11-2 win over the Seattle Mariners, he was 5-for-6 with a triple and two RBI with three runs scored. In 125 games this season, he is hitting .301 with 28 doubles, five triples, 59 RBI, 87 runs scored and 31 stolen bases. See which team to back at SportsLine.

Why the Nationals can win

Washington is expected to send right-hander Cade Cavalli (1-0, 2.20 ERA) to the mound. He will be making his fourth start. He was solid in his last outing, earning the win in Saturday’s victory over Philadelphia. In that game, he pitched seven innings, allowing seven hits with no walks and five strikeouts. In 16.1 innings this season, he has allowed 17 hits, four earned runs and four walks, while striking out 14.

Shortstop C.J. Abrams is among the Nationals’ top hitters. In 112 games this season, he is hitting .265 with 27 doubles, five triples, 16 homers, 50 RBI and 26 stolen bases. In Sunday’s 11-9 loss to the Phillies, he was 3-for-5 with a double, one RBI and two runs scored. He was 2-for-5 with a triple and an RBI in an 8-5 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Aug. 12. See which team to back at SportsLine. 

How to make Nationals vs. Phillies picks

SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the total, and it says one side of the money line has all the value. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s MLB picks. 

So who wins Nationals vs. Phillies, and which side of the money line has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its MLB picks, and find out.