The Colorado Rockies will play the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will televise this NL matchup and the opening pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET.
Colorado Rockies vs. Washington Nationals Odds
Colorado (+187) is the underdog to Washington (-205) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this game at 7.5 runs. Odds for wagering on the game’s total sit at -115 for the under and -105 for the over. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds sitting at -115 for the Rockies +1.5 runs and -105 for the Nationals -1.5.
The Nationals are 6-8 SU and 5-8 ATS. The team’s lost 5.3 units for moneyline bettors and 3.1 units against the spread (ATS). Washington has covered the spread only twice in its last seven games and the under has hit in five of those seven. The Rockies are 8-7 SU and have gone 7-7 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 1.2 units for moneyline gamblers this year, but have gained 1.3 units ATS. Colorado has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the under has hit in five of those seven.
Washington games have had an over/under record of 5-6-2 thus far in 2018. Colorado has an over/under record of 6-7-1.
The Rockies have gained 1.9 units and are 3-3 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in three of those games, compared to three that’ve gone under against righties. On the other hand, the Nationals have lost 4.8 units and are 4-7 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s hit in five of those games, compared to five that’ve gone under.
The right-handed Jon Gray (1-2, 5.63 ERA) will get the nod for the visiting Rockies. Gray struck out 112 hitters over 110 innings last year (with only 30 walks) and finished the season 10-4 overall with a 3.67 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP.
The Nationals will be turning to righty Max Scherzer (2-1, 0.90 ERA), who recorded 268 strikeouts over 200 innings last year (31 starts), while finishing the season 16-6 overall with a 2.51 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP.
As a unit, Washington’s pitching staff has given up 4.5 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have a 3.23 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.86 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 11.5 K/9.
The Washington offense has produced 4.0 runs per outing, including 2.7 per game over its last 10 games and 2.2 per game over its last five. The team has hit .199/.283/.304 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Nationals’ hitters have been led by outfielders Bryce Harper and Adam Eaton. Harper is slashing .267/.438/.667 with 12 hits, six homers, 13 RBIs and 13 runs scored, and Eaton’s line is .345/.424/.655 with 10 hits, five RBIs and 10 runs.
Compared to his overall season slash line of .297/.393/.462, Eaton performed well against right-handed pitchers at home in 2017, producing .389/.463/.611 across 41 plate appearances.
In the other dugout, Colorado’s pitching staff allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starters own a 4.46 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 8.10 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.83, along with a WHIP of 1.45.
Rockies hitters have slashed .228/.300/.397 on their way to 3.9 runs scored per game this season, including 3.5 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.2 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 .328/.397/.607 with 20 hits, eight RBIs and nine runs scored, while Blackmon (.282/.391/.641) is up to 11 hits, four homers, six RBIs and nine runs scored.
Compared to his overall season slash line of .331/.399/.601, Blackmon taken a step back when hitting righties on the road last year, maintaining a slash line of just .284/.346/.476 across 254 such plate appearances.
Colorado Rockies at Washington Nationals MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Rockies, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Notes
Colorado fielders have committed zero errors over their last five games, compared to three errors for Washington over its last five.
The Rockies have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games, including seven over their last five.
+++++
