Dylan Bundy (6-4, 3.36 ERA) and the Baltimore Orioles (67-56) meet Stephen Strasburg (15-4, 3.59 ERA) and the Washington Nationals (73-50) in the first of a two-game interleague series at Camden Yards. The game gets underway at 7:05 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 22 and will air on MASN and MAS2.
In his most recent outing, Bundy pitched 4.1 innings, giving up five runs, striking out two and walking two in an 8-1 loss to the Red Sox. Mark Trumbo (.255, 70 Rs, 37 HRs, 90 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. The Nationals were unsuccessful against the Rockies 12-10 the last time Strasburg pitched. He went 1.2 innings, allowing nine runs, striking out three and walking three. Bryce Harper (.246, 67 Rs, 22 HRs, 68 RBIs, 17 SBs) has been doing well, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run, one home run, three RBIs, and one stolen base.
Baltimore, a +108 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Washington. The matchup currently has an eight-run Over/Under (O/U). The Orioles perform poorly as an underdog with a 22-33 record, but have fared better with the overall money line (+1,033). They are 1-4 as the underdog over their last 10 games. Baltimore has averaged 5.7 runs per game during interleague play, higher than its season average of 4.7. The Orioles are a power hitting team with an MLB-best 192 home runs. Baltimore’s pitching staff has fallen apart in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game rose to 6.7 during that span, compared to its 4.6 season average.
Switching to the opposing dugout, the Nationals come into this game with a solid win percentage of .643 when playing as the favorite (63-35) and an overall money line of +82. Interleague competitors haven’t been able to get the upper hand on fiery Washington. The Nationals hold a record of 9-3 in games where they were ranked as the favorite and an 11-5 SU. The Nationals rank fourth in the NL in scoring, averaging 4.9 runs per game. Washington has an eye for the strike zone, ranking fourth in the NL with 3.5 walks per game. Washington’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 6.1 runs per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 3.7. They have a WHIP of 1.181 on the year, good for third in the league. The Washington pitching staff has been an intimidating group this year, averaging 9.2 strikeouts per game.
This game will feature Strasburg (RHP) on the mound against the Orioles, who have a 50-38 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Nationals will be the right-hander Bundy. They sport a 56-39 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – WAS, O/U – Over
Notes
Washington recorded at least two errors for the ninth time this season.
The Orioles are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded five strikeouts. The Nationals have a record of 24-9 when opponents’ pitchers have five strikeouts or less.
When they are outhit, the Orioles are 17-43. The Nationals have a 13-29 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking first in home runs, Baltimore has hit 192 this season. Washington ranks sixth with 164 home runs.
Ranking eighth, Washington is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.70 per game. Baltimore ranks in the top five with 9.02.
Baltimore and Washington both rank in the top 10 of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Baltimore sits at sixth with an OPS of .773, and Washington ranks seventh with an OPS of .764.
When the Nationals allow at least one home run, they are 41-39. When the Orioles allow one or more homers, they have a 39-44 record.
