Philadelphia Phillies (69-51, first in the NL East) vs. Washington Nationals (48-72, fifth in the NL East)

Washington; Thursday, 6:45 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Phillies: Jesus Luzardo (11-5, 4.20 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 151 strikeouts); Nationals: Brad Lord (3-6, 3.28 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 70 strikeouts)

Phillies -211, Nationals +174; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Washington Nationals host the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday to open a four-game series.

Washington is 48-72 overall and 22-36 in home games. The Nationals are 21-56 in games when they have allowed at least one home run.

Philadelphia is 69-51 overall and 32-30 in road games. The Phillies have the sixth-best team batting average in MLB play at .253.

The teams square off Thursday for the seventh time this season.

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