Thursday, September 27, 2012   7:05 PM EST

MLB Predictions:
Washington Nationals (94-61) at Philadelphia Phillies (78-77)
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pitchers:
Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (20-8, 2.84 ERA)
Phillies RH Tyler Cloyd (2-1, 3.86)
 

Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies meet at Citizens Bank Park. Philadelphia will face 20-game winner lefty Gio Gonzalez on Thursday. Gonzalez has a 20-8 record and a 2.84 ERA this season.

Philadelphia is 5 1/2 games behind St. Louis in the race for the second wild card and will send Tyler Cloyd to the hill. The righthander has a 3.86 ERA to go along with a 2-1 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently has Washington as 135-moneyline favorites versus  Philadelphia, with the total  at 7½.

Take the Nationals with Gio Gonzalez at the helm. Washington is 23-8 in Gonzalezs last 31 starts, 11-3 in his last 14 road starts.

Trends:
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games at home
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Washington

Prediction: Washington Nationals -135