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Coming off one of the best starts of his career, Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler looks to keep rolling on Wednesday as he faces Jon Lester and the Nationals in Washington, D.C. The Phils opened as short favorites on the MLB odds.

How to Bet Phillies at Nationals MLB Odds & TV Info

When: Wednesday, 7:05 PM ET
Where: Nationals Park
Probable pitchers (away/home): Zack Wheeler/Jon Lester
TV: MLB Extra Innings

Why Bet on Philadelphia? | Betting Odds for MLB

The Phillies have played 16 one-run games this season, the most in the majors, and are 9-7 in those (.563 win %). From April 29-May 5, each of Philadelphia’s seven games had been decided by one run which tied a club record that had only happened four times prior.

Rhys Hoskins’ next homer will be the 100th of his career. If he is able to hit a home run in his next 33 games, he will become the fourth fastest Phillie to reach 100 homers behind only Ryan Howard (325 G), Jim Thome (384 G) and Chuck Klein (390 G) – Mike Schmidt is currently the fourth fastest in franchise history with 100 HR in his first 472 games. Hoskins would also be the third fastest to start a career for the Phillies as Thome’s first 100 career homers came with Cleveland.

It’s right-hander Zack Wheeler (3-2, 2.83) on the mound for Philly. Wheeler hurled his second career shutout last Thursday, completing a three-hitter in a 2-0 win over the Brewers. He struck out eight. Wheeler’s other shutout — and only other complete game — came seven years ago against the Marlins when he was with the Mets; oddly enough, he also allowed three hits and struck out eight in that one.

Wheeler induced 11 groundball outs and his cutter inside gave Milwaukee hitters fits. Wheeler has gone at least seven innings in a start 38 times since 2018. Jacob deGrom is the only pitcher who has done that more often (45 times). It’s more than the likes of Max Scherzer (36), Trevor Bauer (34), Gerrit Cole (32), and teammate Aaron Nola (32).

Manager Joe Girardi was able to allow Wheeler to throw 118 pitches because the right-hander’s stuff was still good late in the game — he was throwing 97 mph in the ninth inning – and the Phillies had an off day this past Monday that allowed Wheeler an extra day of rest before this start. Wheeler has reached the ninth inning in two of his last three starts. He has a 1.88 ERA during that stretch, striking out 23 and walking four in 24 innings.

Wheeler is 6-11 with a 4.64 ERA in 20 career starts vs. Washington but this will be his first look at the Nats in 2021.

Why Bet on Washington? | Betting Odds for MLB

The Nats lead Major League Baseball in defensive runs saved (23). Trea Turner ranks second among National League shortstops and fifth in MLB in Defensive Runs Saved (4). Victor Robles leads National League center fielders and ranks third among all MLB center fielders in Defensive Runs Saved (3). Starlin Castro ranks fifth among National League third basemen in Defensive Runs Saved (3).

Hitting-wise, the Nationals rank fourth in the National League in hard hit percentage at 41.7%. They rank second in the National League in average exit velocity at 89.6 miles per hour.

Young star Juan Soto will resume full-time duties in right field starting in this series. Though he was activated from the 10-day injured list last Tuesday, Soto was limited to a pinch-hitting role during his first three games back while his strained shoulder wasn’t quite 100 percent. He was able to re-enter the lineup Friday at Yankee Stadium as the Nationals’ designated hitter before making his first start in right field since returning from the IL on Saturday.

It’s lefty Jon Lester (0-1) on the mound here. Lester allowed three runs over five innings last Thursday in a loss to the Braves. Lester faced the minimum his first time through the Braves’ lineup before giving up an RBI double to Marcell Ozuna and a two-run single to Ehire Adrianza in the fourth inning. He finished with five strikeouts and also issued two walks. The 37-year-old has recorded a respectable 2.70 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 6/4 K/BB ratio across 10 innings (two starts) to open the 2021 campaign.

Over 11 career starts against the Phillies, Lester is 8-1 with a 1.92 ERA. The only loss occurred in his last outing against them — May 23, 2019, with the Cubs.