By: Players Advantage
http://www.PhoenixSports.com
8/19/2006 10:04:12 AM



This is a great situation for the Phillies to garner a blowout win.

Hamels gives us a decided pitching advantage over Ortiz. Dominant doesn't even describe Hamels recent outings. He's allowed just 5 earned runs on 18 hits over his last 28.1 innings pitched. Hamels is 3-1 his last 4 decisions. He is finally healthy and he is now dominating as a result. Hamels has struck out 46 over his last 33.2 innings of work and we expect many Nationals to swing and whiff this evening.

Washington starter Ortiz is coming off of a loss at Atlanta. Even though he had previously won 3 straight decisions he has really not been pitching that well. Over his last five starts he's allowed 18 earned runs on 40 hits and 12 walks in 29.2 innings of work. He is getting hit at a .294 clip this season and was hit at a .302 clip last season.

Ortiz has seen his better years and the Phillies will pound him today. Note that while the Phils are still in the wild card hunt the Nationals are a miserable 24-38 on the road this season.

Play - Philadelphia Phillies on the run line (-1.5 runs)