In a thrilling matchup between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals, the Phillies are currently in the driver's seat to secure one of the NL wild-card spots. Heading into their Sunday showdown, the Phillies are relying on their star pitcher, Zack Wheeler (9-5, 3.63 ERA), to solidify their position. Wheeler has been on fire over the past two months, consistently delivering outstanding performances on the mound. In fact, he has allowed three runs or fewer in seven consecutive starts, showcasing his dominance.

Looking back at their previous encounter on August 8th, Wheeler faced off against the Nationals, allowing three runs over six innings in an impressive 8-4 victory for the Phillies. With Wheeler's stellar track record, Philadelphia has been a reliable bet when he takes the mound, winning 9 out of his last 12 starts.

On the other hand, Trevor Williams (5-7, 5.20 ERA) will be pitching for the Nationals. Unfortunately for Williams, he has been struggling in his recent outings, surrendering a staggering 20 runs in just 19 innings of work over his last four starts. In the previous meeting against Wheeler, Williams faced a tough time, conceding six runs in a mere 4 1/3 innings. The odds are stacked against him, and it seems likely that he will face similar challenges on Sunday night.

Moreover, Williams will have to contend with the current Phillies hitters, who have consistently found success against him in their 149 career at-bats, batting an impressive .322. This statistic further emphasizes the Phillies' advantage in this matchup.

The Phillies have a significant edge on the mound due to Wheeler's dominance against the Nationals. In his last five starts against Washington, Wheeler has emerged victorious four times, outscoring his opponents by an astounding margin of 45-10. With Wheeler's late-season momentum, it is highly probable that he will continue his winning streak and contribute to the Phillies' success on Sunday.

In terms of betting, the odds are in favor of the Phillies, with a -240 line indicating their strong position. With Wheeler's exceptional performance and the Nationals' struggles, it seems like a solid choice to place your bet on the Phillies.

Moving on to the American League wild-card race, the Seattle Mariners are set to clash with the Houston Astros in an exciting matchup. Taking the mound for the Mariners is Bryce Miller (7-4, 4.04 ERA), while the Astros will counter with the red-hot J.P. France (9-3, 2.74 ERA).

Miller has had a mixed season, displaying strong outings interspersed with some rough performances. He has allowed two runs or fewer in 12 instances but has given up three or more runs in six other starts. However, Miller did manage to shine in his lone outing against the Astros this year, pitching six scoreless innings in a 3-1 victory for the Mariners. This previous success against Houston will undoubtedly boost his confidence going into Friday's game.

Meanwhile, France has been a force to be reckoned with on the mound, allowing two runs or fewer in 12 of his 17 starts. In their previous encounter against the Mariners, France showcased his skills by giving up only two hits and no runs in five innings of work. The Astros have been incredibly successful when France starts, winning eight consecutive games. The team has dominated during France's recent starts, outscoring their opponents by an impressive 61-26.

Considering the Astros' strong form and France's exceptional performances, it appears logical to favor Houston in this matchup. With a -140 moneyline, the odds suggest that the Astros are the favorites to emerge victorious on Friday.

In conclusion, both the Phillies and the Astros have favorable matchups in their respective wild-card races. With Zack Wheeler's dominant form and the Phillies' historical success against Trevor Williams, Philadelphia seems poised to secure a victory on Sunday. On the other hand, the Astros boast a red-hot J.P. France and a track record of triumph with him on the mound, making them the favorites in their clash against the Mariners on Friday.