Michael Lorenzen returns to mound Friday with Phillies as big favorites over Nationals

The last time Michael Lorenzen took the mound for a Phillies game vs. Washington, it was the most memorable start of his career. That was nine days ago, Lorenzen and the Phillies benefiting from two days off this week to give the right-handed pitcher’s arm some extra rest after he threw 124 pitches in a no-hitter last Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park.

Friday night, to start a three-game road series vs. the Nationals (the first two in Washington, the third in Williamsport, Pa.), Lorenzen is back on the mound.

And while Lorenzen isn’t expected to join Johnny Vander Meer (1938) as the only player in Major League Baseball history to throw consecutive no-hitters, he’ll take the mound leading a team that’s a big favorite vs. the last-place Nationals.

Here’s a look at Phillies-Nationals odds for Friday night’s game at Nationals Park.

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Odds are courtesy of BetMGM, current at the time of publishing, and subject to change.

Money line: Phillies -200, Nationals +165

Run line: Phillies -1.5 (-120), Nationals +1.5 (+100)

Total: 9 runs (over -105, under -115)

Probable pitchers: Lorenzen (7-7, 3.23 ERA, 1.04 WHIP) vs. Joan Adon (1-0, 5.14 ERA, 0.86 WHIP)

Advantage, Phillies? Yes, but not a major one as far as the starting pitchers go.

Adon, 25, has made just four appearances with the Nationals this season, but has pitched well in his last two starts. The righty has pretty decent stuff, bringing a mid-90s fastball and sinker to go with a curveball, change-up and slider (the latter he doesn’t throw very often).

Don’t expect Adon to go deep into the game. He has made just two starts in those four appearances, both this month. Last time out, he needed 63 pitches to get through three innings but surrendered only two runs in an eventual 8-2 Washington win over Oakland.

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What’s behind Adon? The third-worst bullpen ERA in baseball.

What’s behind Lorenzen? The ninth-best bullpen ERA in baseball during a week with two off-days.

While Washington has struggled for much of 2023, the Phillies haven’t taken advantage in their 10 matchups, going 6-4.

Both teams are 6-4 in their last 10 overall.

The Phillies snapped a three-game losing streak with a 9-4 win to split a two-game set in Toronto on Wednesday night.

They have a crucial series — as far as home-field advantage in the wild-card round goes — with the Giants at Citizens Bank Park beginning Monday.

» READ MORE: For the Phillies, a scary playoff scenario, and a huge series against the Giants