A weekend pairing of the Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants pits a team near the cellar of baseball against, again, the surprise of the early season. The Giants are tied for the second-best record in baseball (13-6) a year after winning 108 regular season games, yet there was roster turnover and the Los Angeles Dodgers again reloaded. Perhaps surprising to some MLB expert picks, Friday’s meeting kicks off a three-game series in which the Giants hope to pad their NL West lead.
Last Game’s Records
It’s been 10 innings since the San Francisco Giants last scored a run, losing 1-0 to the cross-bay rival Oakland Athletics on Wednesday. Paul Blackburn and five relievers combined to allow just the one run in a great effort, but the offense couldn’t reward them.
The Washington Nationals lost 2-1 despite the relief staff not allowing a run and recording 13 outs after Erik Fedde gave way allowing both runs. It was the seventh straight loss for the Nationals.
Matchup Information
Nationals at Giants Betting Analysis
Washington Nationals Betting Analysis
The Washington Nationals are struggling on both sides of the field. Offensively they are 28th in runs per game, scoring 3.26 per contest. They are 22nd in average, hitting .218, with the fourth worst OPS at .601. They lack power, though they don’t strike out a lot, ranking fifth at 7.83 punchies per game.
Pitching wise, they are 27th, allowing 5.35 runs per game, and have the third worst batting average against (.264) and OPS (.755).
Juan Soto is off to a decent start this season with a .847 OPS, three solo home runs and 13 runs scored. Slugging first baseman Josh Bell is hitting .328 with a .926 OPS as well, but the offense is struggling to get runners on base for them to do damage.
Aaron Sanchez is set to make his second start of the season, allowing four earned runs in 4.1 innings pitched to open the season.
San Francisco Giants Betting Analysis
While the San Francisco Giants are scoring the fifth most runs per game, it is their defense that is getting it done. Their pitching staff is allowing the fewest runs per game at 2.48 per contest. They are also third in opponents OPS at .599 and tops in allowing 0.53 home runs per game. Their 9.3 strikeouts per game is eighth.
Offensively, the Giants are scoring 4.81 runs per game and average just over a home run per contest.
Adding Pederson to the team, who has a team-best six home runs and a 1.140 OPS, has been a big lift around veterans Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford. Wilmer Flores is also off to a strong start and Mike Yastzremski has been decent before his injury.
Updates
Each team has a laundry list of injuries. Like all MLB betting, be sure to get the latest report in case a key player turns out to be available. For the San Francisco Giants that could be Joc Pederson, who is questionable with a groin strain, or Mike Yastrzemski, out indefinitely with an illness. Both outfielders are part of a list of 10 injured Giants.
The Washington Nationals’ have 11 players with injury/illness designations, including relievers Hunter Harvey, Sean Doolittle, Will Harris and Seth Romero, promising infielder Carter Kieboom, starters Stephen Strasburg, Joe Ross, Anibal Sanchez and Mason Thompson, and utilitymen Dee Strange-Gordon and Ehire Adrianza.
Nationals at Giants Betting Preview
The San Francisco Giants (-230) are favored to win again on Friday by 1.5 (-105). The odds are good enough to consider the run line, too.
The Washington Nationals (+185) would be a lucrative moneyline pick if you have faith in them. They are -115 to cover +1.5 runs. The over/under is 7.5.
MLB betting trends show San Francisco is picked by 86% of the public on the moneyline with perception split 50-50 on the over/under.
Nationals at Giants Betting Analysis
Alex Wood gets the start for the San Francisco Giants and he’s been strong this season, allowing four earned runs over 14.1 innings in his first three starts. He’s 2-0 with a 2.51 ERA and 16 strikeouts. The lefthander will be tough on a lineup that’s best hitter is left-handed.
The biggest concern for the Washington Nationals is their pitching. Sure they’re missing a few backend relievers but they don’t often have the lead late in games for that to matter, so their starting pitching has to improve. Friday’s case doesn’t appear any better.
We’ll pick the Giants to get back on track and cover -1.5 and hand the Nationals an eighth straight loss.
How to Bet on Nationals at Giants
In order to bet on sports, go to your favorite sportsbook and either register or sign in. Then look for the latest MLB betting odds.
For example, placing a $100 bet on the Washington Nationals at +185 odds would net a $185 profit, so $285 total. Take that same $100 bet for the San Francisco Giants at -230, and it would pay out a profit of $43.48 for a total of $143.48. These are moneyline bets that amount to win/loss results.
Another way to bet is the run line. Place $100 on the Nationals +1.5 at -115 and that’ll net a profit of $86.96 if they lose by one run or win. Losing by two or more is a loss. Taking the Giants -1.5 at -105 would net a profit of $95.24, but to win the Giants would have to win by two or more runs.
Betting over/unders means the combined total of runs must be eight or more for a 7.5 total for the over to hit, or seven or less for the under.
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