The Los Angeles Dodgers aim to carry on with a strong string of performances in the second of a three-game bill against the Washington Nationals. A victory would mark a third straight National League series win for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers (28-13) are one of the league’s juggernauts thus far. Following a commanding 10-1 triumph Monday night, Los Angeles has come out on top in eight of its last nine. They lead San Diego in the NL West by one game and are in the middle of a ten-game road trip.
The Nationals (14-29) have crawled out to one of the league’s slowest starts. Only Cincinnati has fewer wins (12). At home, Washington has an uninspiring 5-16 record thus far, which doesn’t bode well with one of the MLB’s best in town.
A big explanation for their difficulties is a poor effort on the hill. The Nationals’ 4.93 team ERA is better than only Cincy and Pittsburgh.
For all of their shortcomings, the Nationals are one of the better hitting teams in the league. Washington has a .316 average at the plate, with first baseman Josh Bell and left fielder Juan Soto fronting the charge.
Along with 23 RBIs, Bell has the highest average of any lineup regular (.296), while Soto has the Nationals’ most home runs (8) and runs scored (26).
Without this duo, Washington would be even more hard-pressed for success than they are already.
Dodgers at Nationals Odds
MLB odds have the Dodgers favored in this one. Los Angeles is -1.5 on the run line at -128, while the Nationals are +106 to cover the spread.
On the moneyline, the Dodgers are -210 and Washington a +176 underdog. The total has been set at 8.5 runs, with the over being -118 and the under -104 at the time of this writing.
MLB betting trends point to the Dodgers’ effective mix of pitching and hitting. Los Angeles is on the opposite side of the spectrum than the Nationals, boasting a major league-leading 2.80 ERA. In each of their last six outings, the Dodgers have held their opponents to four runs or less.
With their bats, they have a .246 average. They’ve played more runs than anyone else, and their 200 runs driven in are knotted with the crosstown Angels for tops in the bigs.
Matchup Information
Dodgers at Nationals Betting Preview
Walker Buehler will get the starting nod for the visiting Dodgers. With a 5-1 record, he’s given up only three earned runs in three away outings.
Los Angeles has fared well with the sixth-year right-hander on the rubber. It’s won six of his eight starts, keeping the opponent to a maximum of two runs in each of them.
In a total of 46.2 frames on the bump, Buehler has a 2.89 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP.
Former Dodger Josiah Gray will be his opposite, having put up a 4.36 ERA. He’s turned in six innings of work in three of his last four appearances. His last time out, against Miami, he struck out seven challengers in what wound up being a 5-4 win in extra innings.
Gray has a career 5.05 ERA. He’ll have to throw out of that sort of character for his crew to have a chance.
Dodgers at Nationals Betting Predictions
Los Angeles is very obviously the better team in this one. The Nationals’ strength — which is their steady work at the dish — will be canceled out by Buehler’s adept arm. The same can’t be said the other way around.
Although Gray has been solid by Washington’s standards, he won’t have as simple a time trying to shut down the Dodgers. He’ll have to deal with dangerous hitters such as first baseman Freddie Freeman and right fielder Mookie Betts, who power the offense.
Take the Dodgers to take their second in as many tries against the Nationals. This is one of the easier MLB picks today. Go for the over, as well.
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