Thursday MLB preview: Phillies at Nationals, Giants at Dodgers

Philadelphia Phillies (39-34) at Washington Nationals (35-38), 7:05 p.m. ET

Nick Pivetta (4-1, 5.00 ERA) (PHI) +110 / +1.5 runs (-175) / Over 10 runs (-115) Erick Fedde (1-1, 3.68 ERA) (WSH) -120 / -1.5 runs (+145) / Under 10 runs (-105)

MLB free play: Over

Nick Pivetta and Erick Fedde are both pitching on extra rest after consecutive rainouts and a Wednesday doubleheader, but both starters have struggled against their opponents, so the Over looks like an easy call.

Pivetta has a 1-5 record in his last eight efforts (seven starts) against Washington, with a 10.94 ERA. Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon has teed off on Pivetta in 15 prior at-bats, with eight hits (three home runs) and nine RBIs.

Fedde has pitched to a .405 batting average against in 37 encounters with these Phillies hitters. Second baseman Cesar Hernandez (4-for-8), third baseman Maikel Franco (3-for-5) and utility man Scott Kingery (3-for-6) have some of the best numbers against the starter. Fedde's strikeout/walk ratio this season is a miserable 1.50, and Philadelphia's lineup has struck out the fourth-fewest times in June (122).

These bullpens will only add gasoline to the fire. Phillies relievers are 21st in ERA this season, while Nationals relievers are dead last.

San Francisco Giants (31-41) at Los Angeles Dodgers (50-25), 10:10 p.m. ET

Madison Bumgarner (3-6, 3.87 ERA) (SF) +155 / +1.5 runs (-140) / Over 7.5 runs (-110) Julio Urias (7-1, 3.06 ERA) (LAD) -170 / -1.5 runs (+120) / Under 7.5 runs (-110)

MLB free play: Under

Madison Bumgarner and Julio Urias should be highly effective against familiar foes Thursday.

Bumgarner has a 3.58 ERA in his last eight starts dating back to May 1. Two of those outings occurred against the Dodgers, and he surrendered just two earned runs in 13 innings. Bumgarner will be supported by San Francisco's stingy bullpen that is second in the NL in ERA this season.

Urias has had a solid season pitching mostly in long relief, and it's getting even better with his 1.80 ERA in June. He has allowed just one earned run in 8 2/3 innings against the Giants in 2019. San Francisco catcher Buster Posey, with just three hits in 18 at-bats since coming off the IL June 12, is 1-for-8 lifetime against Urias. Dodger relievers have been sharp for most of 2019, ranking fourth in ERA in the NL.