MLB Betting Lines: Nationals vs. Phillies Free Pick

Apart from securing home field advantage the playoffs, which is a matter of when – not if, there isn’t a lot on the line for the Phillies as they clash with Nationals in Philadelphia tonight. One thing that is on the line is the Phillies trying to get pitcher Cliff Lee to 17 wins for the 2011 MLB season.

This baseball betting action gets underway with the first pitch at 7:05 PM ET on Tuesday, September 20, 2011, from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Gamble on the General Lee in this one!

MLB Game Day Preview: Nationals @ Phillies

For the second time in less than a week, the Phillies trot out one of their aces in the second half of a doubleheader. LHP Cliff Lee (16-9 2.38 ERA) was in this spot last Thursday as he started the back end of a twin bill against the Florida Marlins.

Lee was brilliant in that start as he scattered five hits, and allowed one run over nine innings, but ended up with a no-decision as the Phillies won 2-1 in ten innings. The General has allowed just four earned runs in his last 64.2 innings of work. That is simply amazing!

>>> Wager On Major League Baseball At BetOnline <<<

Tasked with trying to keep the Phillies bats in check is LHP Ross Detwiler (2-5 3.76 ERA) who gets the call for the Nationals.

Detwiler has been a serviceable starter for the Nationals as he has allowed three runs or less in six of seven starts since joining the Nats starting rotation back on August 4, 2011. He is over matched in this one though.

Baseball Betting Lines: Philadelphia vs. Washington Free Pick

We head to the Sportsbook at the BetOnline sports wagering website for today’s baseball betting lines for our Phillies vs. Nationals Free Pick. The Phillies are on cruise control as they head towards the playoffs but don’t expect them to roll over with Lee toeing the rubber tonight.

You also have to factor in fatigue as these two teams played a 3.5 hour marathon in the first half of the doubleheader earlier today. The Nats took the first game, in ten innings, by a 4-3 final score.

Losing three straight games, along with six of their last ten, will not sit well with Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel. With Lee on the hill, the Phillies won’t need more than a couple of runs to win the night cap and end their mini slump.

>>> Take PHI over WAS at -240 on the BetOnline Money Line <<<