Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals: Game 1 Preview and Betting Odds

The Philadelphia Phillies (13-13) and Washington Nationals (16-9) will open up a three-game National League East series on Friday night at Nationals Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 ET.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Nationals as -185 home favorites, while the total holds steady at 6.5 across the board.

Washington is tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for the second-best record in the NL, winning two of three against the Arizona Diamondbacks to open up its six-game homestand, including a 2-1 victory on Thursday night. The Nationals are 10-3 at home this season and the "under" is 9-4 in that situation.

Stephen Strasburg (2-0, 1.12 ERA) was named NL Pitcher of the Month for April earlier this week, leading the club to four wins in his five starts. The right-hander didn't figure into the decision of a 4-3 road loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers last time out, allowing one run and five hits over seven frames.

The right-hander is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in two home starts, issuing just two walks and striking out 11 in 12 combined frames. He has compiled an even 3-3 mark and 2.56 ERA in 13 career outings in front of the home fans.

Strasburg hasn't matched up with the Phillies since the final start of his 2010 rookie campaign, allowing one run and two hits over 4.1 innings, as the squad went on to a 8-1 victory.

Sports bettors will find that the Nationals are 10-2 in their last 12 games as a home favorite, while the "under" is 11-3 in that situation.

Philadelphia certainly hopes its offense carries over from winning two of three against the Atlanta Braves, including a 4-0 road victory on Thursday afternoon. The Phillies managed to score 21 runs over the course of that divisional series.

The club is averaging 3.66 runs per game and batting .248 against right-handed starters on the road, but is just 8-8 overall when playing away from Citizens Bank Park.

Kyle Kendrick (0-2, 6.59 ERA) isn't exactly the best option to go up against one of the best pitchers in baseball, especially considering the Phillies have ended up on the losing end of all six of his appearances (two starts) in 2012.

The right-hander will be making his 14th career appearance (13th start) versus the Nationals, coming in with a 2-3 record and 5.46 ERA, including an even 1-1 mark and 6.53 ERA in four outings at Nationals Park.

The Phillies are 1-4 in Kendrick's last five starts as an underdog, while the "over" has cashed in 22 of his last 29 starts away from the City of Brotherly Love. 

Weather forecasts suggest scattered thunderstorms in the area and game-time temperatures in the high-70s, with a slight breeze out of the northwest.

Follow on Twitter: @JeffGrantSports