Runs may be hard to come by in this one as Andrew Cashner (1-6, 3.07 ERA) and the San Diego Padres (19-18) go up against Max Scherzer (3-3, 1.99 ERA) and the Washington Nationals (20-17) in the third of a four-game series at Petco Park. The Nationals won the last game 10-0 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 8:40 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 16 and will air on MASN2 and FSN-SD.
Cashner is 2-2 with a 3.76 ERA against the Nationals in his career, and is up against a strong Washington offense that’s hitting .261 on the year. Justin Upton (.284, 25 Rs, 8 HRs, 25 RBIs, 8 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday. In his pitching opportunities against the Padres, Scherzer is 1-2 with a 3.41 ERA, 41 strikeouts and 14 walks. Bryce Harper (.317, 32 Rs, 13 HRs, 33 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Nationals, going 3 for 4 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and two RBIs.
San Diego, a +111 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Washington. Oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at six runs. When playing as the underdog, the Padres have an 8-11 record and overall money line at +120. The Padres come into the game with the NL’s fifth-ranked home scoring offense, averaging 4.7 runs per game in their own ballpark. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking fifth in all of baseball with 28 steals. As for the pitching staff, they have been extremely effective at striking opposing batters out, averaging 8.5 strikeouts per game.
On the other side, the Nationals have a record of 16-12 when they are favored and are -259 overall with the money line. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 7-3 SU and have played well as the favorite with a 7-2 record. The Nationals rank third in the NL in scoring, averaging 4.7 runs per game. Washington has an eye for the strike zone, ranking 3.3 in the NL with fourth walks per game. Shifting to the pitching staff, they allow just 2.7 hits per road game, good for third in the NL.
This game will feature Scherzer (RHP) on the mound against the Padres, who have a 13-13 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The right-handed Cashner will take the mound against the Nationals, who have a 13-15 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – SD, O/U – Over
Notes
Washington won its last game in a shutout, its third of the season. San Diego has been shut out six times this season.
When the Nationals play into extra innings, they have a 2-1 record. The Padres are 1-2 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Nationals are coming into this meeting after a high-scoring game where they scored an impressive 10 runs. The Padres have a 0-5 record when opponents score that many runs or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Padres are 14-2. The Nationals have a 14-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Both falling in the top five of the league based on total runs this season, San Diego ranks fifth with 169 runs and Washington is fourth with 180.
Ranking 18th, San Diego is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 100 this season. Washington ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 123.
When the Padres hit at least one home run, they are 13-6, well-matched with the Nationals who are 15-7 when hitting one or more homers.
