Jon Gray (8-6, 4.55 ERA) and Stephen Strasburg (15-3, 3.07 ERA) take the hill in the last of a three-game series between the Colorado Rockies (57-63) and the Washington Nationals (70-48) at Coors Field. The Rockies won the last game 6-2, and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 3:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 17 and can be seen on MASN.
Gray pitched 4.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering seven runs (one unearned), striking out six and walking four in a 10-6 defeat to the Phillies. Trevor Story (.272, 67 Rs, 27 HRs, 72 RBIs, 8 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one RBI. Strasburg went 5.1 innings, surrendering six runs, striking out seven and walking two in an 8-5 defeat to the Braves in his most recent start. Daniel Murphy (.348, 71 Rs, 22 HRs, 87 RBIs, 3 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Nationals, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Washington takes on Colorado as a -163 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at 10 runs. The Rockies have an overall money line of -287 and a record as the underdog of 31-42. Colorado has recorded a disappointing 1-4 record as the underdog over its last 10 games. The Rockies are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 421. Colorado’s pitching staff has been doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 6.9 runs per game, well above its season average of 5.1.
As for their opponent, Washington is coming in with an overall money line of +245 and an impressive record of 60-32 as the favorite. Offensively, they average 4.8 runs per game, which is good for fourth in the NL. Washington is excellent at making contact with just 7.5 strikeouts per game, ranking third in the NL. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Nationals are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.168 for the season.
The Rockies have a 42-43 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Strasburg takes the mound. Gray (RHP) will be on the hill against the Nationals, who have a 53-36 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – WAS, O/U – Over
Notes
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado’s last 6 games.
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado’s last 5 games when playing Washington.
Colorado is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Washington.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado’s last 5 games when playing at home against Washington.
Colorado has won 43% (25-33) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Washington has won 61% (30-19) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Nationals managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Rockies who are heading in with a 25-21 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rockies are 43-13. The Nationals have a 52-12 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking eighth, Washington sits in the top 10 of the league in runs, scoring 558 this season. Colorado ranks in the top five at second with 628.
Ranking 11th, Colorado is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 384 this season. Washington ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 407.
When the Rockies hit at least one home run, they are 44-33. When the Nationals hit at least one homer, they have a 56-26 record.
