[ad_1]
The Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers continue their four-game series at Nationals Park on Friday evening. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Dodgers-Nationals prediction and pick.
Los Angeles took the series opener on Thursday by a comfortable score of 6-2. Los Angeles improved their current winning streak to six games with the win in Washington. They have yet to allow more than two runs during this current stretch. Washington has been hot as well, with wins in seven of their last 10 games to date.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Dodgers-Nationals odds.
MLB Odds: Dodgers-Nationals Odds
Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (+143)
Washington Nationals +1.5 (-163)
Over 8 Runs (-111)
Under 8 Runs (-109)
Why The Dodgers Could Cover The Spread
The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to inch closer to the Giants in the NL West and now sit just 0.5 games back with a 50-31 record on the season. The Dodgers have been red hot with six straight wins and seven wins in their last 10 road games. They have faired extremely well against the Nationals with wins in seven of their last nine games in Washington.
Despite several key injuries, the Dodgers have maintained an elite level of success on both ends of the field. Los Angeles is currently averaging 5.04 runs per game, which is the fourth-best mark in the Majors. They have also allowed the fourth-fewest runs per game at 3.68. They’ve seen a slight dip from their pitchers on the road, but they still have a +1.02 average run differential away from home. The Dodgers winning streak is all thanks to their pitching staff, as they haven’t allowed more than two runs in each of their last six games.
Los Angeles will turn to left-hander Julio Urias for the second game of this series. Urias is having an impressive season with a 9-3 record and 3.95 ERA through 16 starts. The Dodgers southpaw has 107 strikeouts in 93.1 innings of work. Urias allowed just one run through 5.1 innings of work against the Cubs his last time out. The left-hander has allowed just six runs in 17.1 career innings against Washington.
Why The Nationals Could Cover The Spread
The Washington Nationals have roared their way back into contention with a serious turnaround over the past few weeks. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this team bounce back like this. The Nats slow start and sudden turnaround is very similar to that of their 2019 World Series season. Washington has improved their record to 40-39, which leaves them just two games back of the Mets for the division lead.
Their offense hasn’t been great this season, but don’t tell that to outfielder Kyle Schwarber. Although the Nationals are averaging just 4.06 runs per game, Schwarber has single-handedly improved their offensive output recently. The Nationals outfielder hit a whopping 16 home runs during June. Washington’s pitching staff has performed well at home this season, which explains their +0.23 run differential at Nationals Park.
Washington will send their ace Max Scherzer to the bump for the second game of this series. Scherzer is in the midst of yet another phenomenal season with a 7-4 record and 2.14 ERA through 15 starts. He has struck out a whopping 119 batters through 88.1 innings of work. The Nats ace is coming off a great start, allowing just one run in six innings against the Marlins. He has allowed one or no runs in three consecutive starts coming in.
Final Dodgers-Nationals Prediction & Pick
We’ve seen runs like this from the Dodgers multiple times this season, and when they come, you don’t want to pick against them. This game has the potential to be tight throughout, but I’m going to ride with the hotter team that has played stellar defense lately. Los Angeles is winning games behind their pitching and defense, and although the Nationals are hot as well, their offense tends to struggle against elite pitching. Look for the Dodgers to pull away late and secure their seventh-straight victory.
FINAL PICK: Los Angeles Dodgers ML (-119)
Source link
