Jesus Luzardo heats up Nationals Park as he aims to keep his hot stretch going, carrying an 11-5 record and 4.20 ERA. He’s already surpassed his career-high win total from 2023 and has won four straight decisions, with no losses since July 4. Brad Lord counters for Washington, rolling into the start with a 3-6 mark and a 3.28 ERA, valued for his recent turn back into a starter role and a 2.70 ERA over the last month. Philadelphia sits atop the NL East with strong momentum; Washington trails badly, adding bite to a marquee matchup that carries -193 on PHI and +160 on WAS. Beyond this pair, the day’s slate features Diamondbacks at Rockies, Marlins at Guardians, and a lineup of high-leverage bets, including Kyle Stowers’ +425 homer prop. The Rays of the rest of the night include Padres at Dodgers with a King-Kershaw duel, underscoring a MLB-wide focus on value in a crowded market.

The four‑game NL East showdown between the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals heats up this weekend in D.C. with Philly aiming to lock down a top two seed and the BYE that comes with it. The odds lean toward Philadelphia, but fantasy players should watch leverage spots as each game unfolds, especially in a series where pitching matchups could tilt the total and scoring opportunities.

Phillies in Washington on Thursday night for a key early-august clash, with Jesús Luzardo starting for Philadelphia against Brad Lord of the Nationals. Philly looks to rebound after two rough losses to Cincinnati, being outscored 14-1 in that span. Washington has cooled to 4-10 over their last 14 but has shown a pulse, going 3-2 in the past five. Philly hasn’t dropped three straight since late June and have still won seven of 10 entering this game. Odds lean toward Philadelphia on the moneyline, with a chance for a wider margin at -1.5, while the total sits at 8.0 on NBC Sports bets and NBC Top Trends highlight recent spreads and over trends. The day’s betting model projects Philadelphia on the moneyline, Washington to cover +1.5, and the over hitting in this 8-run target, underscoring a pace that could favor offense in short bursts with Luzardo and Lord on the mound.

Fantasy angles center on Luzardo’s bounce-back ability and Lord’s chance to keep a stubborn Phillies lineup in check. First-pitch streaming at 6:45 PM ET from Nationals Park is primed for a swing-and-matter night, where a couple of timely hits or a bullpen hiccup could swing the lines in either direction. Stay glued to live updates and in-game filters for the latest on injuries, lineups, and bullpen usage as this one unfolds.

The Houston Astros, fresh off a surprising home sweep by the Oakland Athletics, are gearing up for their final series before the trade deadline against the Washington Nationals. Starting on the mound is Framber Valdez, boasting an impressive record of 11 wins and a 2.67 ERA. Meanwhile, Washington counters with Brad Lord, who holds a 2-5 record and a 3.39 ERA.

This matchup carries significant weight as the Astros aim to regain their momentum in the season. The team is currently facing challenges, especially with the upcoming trade deadline looming, influencing their performance and strategy. Valdez will need to harness his skills to lead his team to victory and potentially influence the trade discussions surrounding the Astros.

Paul Skenes, the Pirates' ace and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, will take the mound for his fourth start of the young season against the Washington Nationals. With a record of 1-1, Skenes boasts a 3.44 ERA and 0.82 WHIP through three starts. The Pirates are struggling, currently sitting at 5-11 and on a three-game losing streak, while the Nationals hold a slight edge at 6-9 after losing their last two games.

Starting for the Nationals is rookie Brad Lord, who recently delivered a strong performance against the Dodgers. Despite the Nationals being swept by the Marlins over the weekend, they previously took two of three from the powerful Dodgers. Sports betting models suggest there is value in the Nationals money line at +184, especially considering the betting interest surrounding Skenes and the Pirates. The model projects the Nationals have a 40% chance to win, slightly above their implied odds.