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Miami Marlins at Washington Nationals Betting Preview 08/17/18

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Nationals are squaring off against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will showcase the matchup.

Miami Marlins vs. Washington Nationals Odds

Vegas has listed Miami (+300) as the underdog to Washington (-375). Gamblers can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at -110 for over 7.5 runs and -110 for under 7.5. The game’s most recent runline odds stand at +150 for taking the Marlins +1.5 runs and -170 for the Nationals -1.5.

The Nationals are 61-61 straight up (SU) and 58-63 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 23.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 7.9 units (ATS). Washington has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven. On the other hand, the Marlins are 48-75 SU and have gone 62-61 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 5.1 units for moneyline bettors and 13.5 units ATS. Miami has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven.

Nationals games have an over/under record of 50-68-3 in 2018. Miami has an over/under record of 61-58-4.

Right-hander Dan Straily is getting the nod for Miami. Straily is 4-5 with a 4.42 ERA and 85 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with seven strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA against Washington this year (two starts).

The Nationals are sending righty Max Scherzer (15-5, 2.19 ERA) to the mound. Scherzer has 227 strikeouts and 40 walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 0.88. Scherzer is 3-0 with 18 strikeouts and a 3.43 ERA across three starts against Miami this year.

Washington’s pitching staff has given up 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. The team’s starters have a 3.90 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.81 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 8.6 K/9. In 49 divisional games, Nationals starters have an ERA of 4.35 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.19.

Washington’s hitters have put up 4.6 runs per contest, including 5.3 per game against divisional foes and 4.0 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .219/.286/.355 over its last five games and is 1-4 SU during that span.

Shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Anthony Rendon have led the Nationals’ offense this year. Turner is hitting .269/.339/.411 with 14 home runs, 49 RBIs, 74 runs and 32 steals, and Rendon is hitting .294 with 16 homers, 59 RBIs and 56 runs.

In the other dugout, Miami’s pitching staff allowed 5.1 runs per game and its starters own a 4.63 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 7.72 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 5.15, along with a WHIP of 1.34.

The Marlins offense has slashed .240/.306/.358 on its way to 3.7 runs scored per game this season, including 3.6 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.6 per game over the team’s last five outings (0-5 SU).

Miami’s offense has been sparked by second baseman Starlin Castro and third baseman Brian Anderson. Castro is slashing .281/.329/.400 with 10 home runs, 44 RBIs and 66 runs scored, while Anderson is hitting .278/.357/.403 with nine homers, 54 RBIs and 64 runs scored.

The Marlins have lost 2.9 units and are 44-49 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 45 of those games, compared to 44 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Nationals have lost 6.8 units and are 45-42 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 35 of those games, compared to 50 that went under.

Miami Marlins at Washington Nationals Free Pick

Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Marlins, O/U – OVER

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Notes

Betting Trends

The over has hit in three of Miami’s last seven outings.

The Marlins have hit four home runs in their last 10 games. The Nationals have hit 10 over their last 10.

Miami has recorded 15.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 15.8 over its last five.

The Marlins have lost eight of their last nine games SU.

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Written by GMS Previews

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