In the first of a three-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers (62-49) and the Washington Nationals (57-53) at Dodger Stadium, Brett Anderson (6-6, 3.06 ERA) and Gio Gonzalez (8-4, 3.75 ERA) get the ball. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 10 and will air on MASN and SNLA.
In his most recent outing, Anderson pitched 6.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out five and walking two in a 4-3 victory over the Phillies. Yasmani Grandal (.289, 40 Rs, 15 HRs, 44 RBIs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 5 with two RBIs. The Nationals were unsuccessful to the Diamondbacks 11-4 the last time Gonzalez pitched. He went 5.0 innings, giving up two runs, striking out seven and walking one. Bryce Harper (.335, 76 Rs, 29 HRs, 69 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday.
Los Angeles is a -133 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is seven runs. The Dodgers are 55-43 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -941. The Dodgers rank fifth in the majors in home runs with 136. As for the pitching staff, the Dodgers are second in the NL in hits allowed with just 8.1 per game. An area where the Dodgers are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average an NL-best 8.6 K’s per game.
Switching gears, the Nationals come into this game with a weak win percentage of .387 when playing as the underdog (12-19) and an overall money line of -791. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 3-7 SU and have a poor 0-3 record when they were an underdog to win. They also allow just 2.2 walks per road game, best in the NL.
In their previous three games this season, the Dodgers have a 2-1 record. The Dodgers will take on a left-hander (Gonzalez) in this game and have an 8-11 record against left-handed starting pitchers this season. The left-handed Anderson will take the mound against the Nationals, who have a 14-10 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAD, O/U – Over
Notes
The Dodgers managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Nationals who are coming in with an 18-10 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Nationals are 9-46. The Dodgers have a 12-35 record when opponents outhit them.
Washington ranks in the top half of the league at 12th when it comes to home runs, hitting 110 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top five at fifth with 136.
Ranking 12th, Washington is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.37 per game. Los Angeles ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 8.46.
Ranking 16th, Washington is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.712). Los Angeles ranks in the top five at fifth with an OPS of .759.
The Nationals are 22-33 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Dodgers are 26-34 when they allow at least one homer.
