MLB picks: Phillies vs. Nationals, Braves vs. Cardinals

Let’s dig into Wednesday’s MLB slate and give out our two best bets for the evening!

We’ll start with a look at the NL East battle between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals. Then we’ll preview the primetime clash between the Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Philadelphia Phillies (54-53) at Washington Nationals (49-58), 7:05 p.m. ET

There’s been no shortage of runs in the first two games of this series between the Phillies and Nationals. Based on the way these pitching staffs have performed of late, Over bettors are poised to cash in this spot.

Chase Anderson starts for the visiting Phils, and he sports a dreadful 8.74 ERA and .301 opponent batting average through 22 2/3 innings on the road this year. Once Anderson departs, Philadelphia’s 18th-ranked bullpen by ERA over the last two weeks (4.28) will take over.

This Nats squad can plate runs with the best of them, as they’ve averaged 5.39 runs per game since the All-Star break. The red-hot Yadiel Hernandez (11-for-18 over the last week) has been a catalyst.

Paolo Espino counters for Washington against a Phillies lineup that’s plated 5.67 runs per game over the last six meetings between these two clubs. Espino seldom sees the sixth inning, meaning extended work for a Nationals bullpen that owns a league-worst 6.53 ERA over the last two weeks.

MLB pick: Over

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Atlanta Braves (53-54) at St. Louis Cardinals (53-53), 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)

The Braves have alternated wins and losses since July 22, trying desperately to get to .500. They may finally break through on Wednesday night against J.A. Happ and the Cardinals.

Happ makes his first start for St. Louis off a dismal month of July for the Minnesota Twins in which he produced a 9.22 ERA. Offense has not been a problem most nights for Atlanta during this up-and-down run, as they’re averaging 4.77 runs per game over their last 13 contests.

Third baseman Austin Riley has been at the forefront of the Braves’ attack, reaching base safely in every tilt while accumulating seven homers and 17 RBI. Look for him to be a difference-maker in the batter’s box here.

Drew Smyly will toe the rubber for Atlanta, and he hasn’t recorded a loss in 10 straight outings, going 5-0 over that stretch with a 3.08 ERA. Don’t be surprised if the Redbirds struggle to scratch out runs against Smyly, as they’re just 23rd in OPS against southpaws in 2021 (.706).

MLB pick: Braves -117