Colorado Rockies at Washington Nationals Betting Preview 04/15/18

The Colorado Rockies will be taking on the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will showcase this NL showdown and the game gets going at 1:35 p.m. ET.

Colorado Rockies vs. Washington Nationals Odds

Oddsmakers have listed Colorado (+182) as the underdog to Washington (-195). Bettors can gamble on the game’s total with odds posted at even money (+100) for over 7.5 runs and -120 for under 7.5. Gamblers can also bet on the game’s runline with the current odds sitting at -120 for the Rockies +1.5 runs and +100 for the Nationals -1.5 runs.

The Nationals are 7-8 SU and 5-9 ATS. They’ve lost 7.2 units for moneyline bettors and 4.2 units against the spread (ATS). Washington has covered the spread just twice in its last seven games and the total has gone under in six of those seven. The Rockies have gone 8-8 SU this year and are 8-7 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 0.6 units for moneyline gamblers this year and 2.3 units ATS. Colorado is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone under in six of those seven.

Washington games have an over/under record of 5-7-2 so far in 2018. Colorado has an over/under record of 6-8-1.

The Rockies have gained 3.6 units and are 4-3 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in three of those games, as opposed to four that’ve gone under against lefties. On the other hand, the Nationals have lost 2.4 units and are 1-2 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in zero of those games, compared to two which went under the total.

Tyler Anderson is getting the nod for the visiting Rockies. The left-handed Anderson is 0-0 with a 5.65 ERA and 15 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Nationals this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (0-0, 6.35 ERA and five strikeouts across five and two-third innings).

The Nationals will be sending righty Stephen Strasburg (2-1, 2.21 ERA) to the mound. Strasburg has 21 strikeouts and five walks to his name, as well as a 1.03 WHIP. Strasburg did not record a start against the Rockies in 2017.

Washington’s pitchers have yielded 4.3 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. The team’s starters have a 3.18 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.66 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 11.5 K/9.

The Washington hitters have put up 4.1 runs per contest, including 2.7 per game over its last 10 games and 3.0 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .229/.293/.337 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.

The Nationals’ offense has been led by outfielders Bryce Harper and Adam Eaton. Harper is slashing .292/.456/.688 with 14 hits, six homers, 13 RBIs and 14 runs scored, while Eaton’s line is .345/.424/.655 with 10 hits, five RBIs and 10 runs.

Compared to his overall season slash line of .317/.411/.596, Harper did not seem to enjoy batting against lefties at home last year, slashing .295/.362/.328 over 69 such plate appearances.

In the other dugout, Colorado’s pitchers have allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starters own a 4.70 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 8.20 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.84, along with a K/9 of 8.59.

Rockies hitters have slashed .220/.291/.384 on their way to 3.8 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.2 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).

Colorado’s offense has been led by second baseman DJ LeMahieu and right fielder Charlie Blackmon. LeMahieu is slashing .308/.375/.569 with 20 hits, eight RBIs and nine runs scored, while Blackmon (.279/.380/.674) is up to 12 hits, five homers, eight RBIs and 10 runs scored.

Blackmon did not do especially well against righties on the road last season, putting up a slash line of .284/.346/.476 across 254 such plate appearances (his overall season line was .331/.399/.601).

Colorado Rockies at Washington Nationals Free MLB Pick

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