Kevin Gausman (4-10, 4.11 ERA) and the Baltimore Orioles (68-56) go up against Reynaldo Lopez (2-1, 4.37 ERA) and the Washington Nationals (73-51) in the second of a two-game interleague series at Camden Yards. The Orioles won the last game 4-3, and Baltimore leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 23 and will air on MASN and MAS2.
In his last start, Gausman pitched 6.2 innings, giving up five runs (one unearned), striking out eight and walking one in a 13-5 victory over the Astros. Mark Trumbo (.256, 71 Rs, 38 HRs, 92 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. The Nationals were victorious over the Braves 8-2 the last time Lopez pitched. He went 7.0 innings, allowing two, striking out 11 and walking two. Daniel Murphy (.347, 75 Rs, 23 HRs, 90 RBIs, 3 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Nationals, going 2 for 3 yesterday with one RBI.
Baltimore is a -133 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at nine runs. The Orioles have a winning record of 46-22 when playing as the favorite and an overall money line of +1,033. Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (3-1). Baltimore has averaged 5.6 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 194 home runs. Baltimore’s pitching staff has fallen apart in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game rose to 6.8 during that span, compared to its 4.5 season average.
Switching gears, the Nationals come into this game with a weak win percentage of .385 when playing as the underdog (10-16) and an overall money line of -18. Interleague competitors haven’t been able to nail down Washington this season. The Nationals hold a record of 2-3 in games where they were ranked as the underdog and an 11-6 SU. They sport the fourth-ranked offense in the NL, 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 5.7 runs per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 3.7. They have a WHIP of 1.180 on the year, good for second in the league. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in the NL with an average of 9.2 strikeouts per game.
So far this season, the Orioles are 1-0 against the Nationals. This game will feature Lopez (RHP) on the mound against the Orioles, who have a 51-38 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The right-handed Gausman will take the mound against the Nationals, who have a 56-40 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – WAS, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Baltimore is 33-21, while Washington is 31-21.
The Nationals are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded nine strikeouts. The Orioles have a record of 26-28 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Nationals are 54-13. The Orioles have a 45-9 record when outhitting opponents.
Both falling in the top 10 of the league based on total runs this season, Baltimore ranks eighth with 583 runs and Washington is sixth with 603.
Ranking 21st, Baltimore is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 353 this season. Washington ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 434.
When the Orioles hit at least one home run, they are 56-36, well-matched with the Nationals who are 57-29 when hitting one or more homers.
