Taylor Jungmann (1-0, 1.29 ERA) and Max Scherzer (6-5, 2.13 ERA) start in the last of a four-game series between the Milwaukee Brewers (24-39) and the Washington Nationals (32-30) at Miller Park. The Nationals won the last game 7-2 and Milwaukee leads the series 2-1. Action begins at 2:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jun. 14 and can be seen on MASN2 and FSN-WI.
Jungmann pitched 7.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering one run, striking out five and walking one in a 4-1 win over the Pirates. Adam Lind (.294, 24 Rs, 9 HRs, 33 RBIs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run. Scherzer is 0-0 with a 2.77 ERA against the Brewers in his career. He is up against a below-average Milwaukee offense that’s batting just .235. Bryce Harper (.343, 48 Rs, 21 HRs, 51 RBIs, 3 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Nationals, going 3 for 3 yesterday with one run and two RBIs.
Washington takes on Milwaukee as a -158 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at seven runs. The Brewers have an overall money line of -1,257 and a record as the underdog of 18-23. Milwaukee’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 2.9 runs per game, well under their season average of 4.6. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Brewers, who rank fourth in the NL in strikeouts per game with 8.3.
In games where it is the favorite, Washington has a 26-21 record and an overall money line of -585. They played poorly as the favorite over their last 10 games with a 1-6 record, and a 2-8 record SU. Offensively, they average 4.3 runs per game, which is good for fifth in the NL. Washington is excellent at drawing walks with 3.1 per game, ranking fourth in the NL. The Nationals allow 4.4 runs per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 5.6 runs per game during that span. When it comes to issuing walks, the Nationals have the second-fewest in the NL with an average of just 2.4 walks allowed per game. The Nationals have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an NL-best 7.8 strikeouts per road game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Brewers lead the season series, 2-1. The Brewers have a bad 9-16 record at home (18-31 overall) against right-handed starting pitchers, which is what they’ll be facing when Scherzer takes the mound. Jungmann (RHP) will be on the hill against the Nationals, who have a 22-26 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – WSH, O/U – Over
Notes
When the Nationals play into extra innings, they have a 4-1 record. The Brewers are 2-2 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Nationals are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Brewers have a 9-15 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Brewers are 17-4. The Nationals have a 23-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 25th, Milwaukee is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 234 this season. Washington ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 268.
Ranking 26th, Milwaukee is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 143 this season. Washington ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 194.
When the Brewers hit at least one home run, they are 20-14. When the Nationals hit at least one homer, they have a 24-14 record.
