This game could be low scoring as Max Scherzer (9-6, 1.82 ERA) and the Washington Nationals (46-37) meet Johnny Cueto (5-5, 2.84 ERA) and the Cincinnati Reds (37-44) in the second of a three-game series at Nationals Park. The Reds won the last game 3-2 and Cincinnati leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jul. 7 and will air on FSN-OH and MASN.
In his most recent outing, Scherzer pitched 8.1 innings, giving up two runs and striking out nine in a 2-1 loss to the Braves. In his pitching opportunities against the Nationals, Cueto is 6-3 with a 4.06 ERA. He meets a solid Washington offense that’s batting .256. Joey Votto (.276, 40 Rs, 14 HRs, 39 RBIs, 5 SBs) has been hitting the ball well, going 2 for 5 yesterday.
Washington, a -150 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Cincinnati. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is six runs. The Nationals have a winning record of 38-25 when playing as the favorite and an overall money line of +144. Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (7-3). They have been very patient at the plate, ranking third in the NL with an average of 3.1 walks per game. Washington’s pitching staff performs very well on its own field, recording a low 2.81 team ERA at home. The Nationals are third in the NL in hits allowed at home with just 8.2 per game.
Across the field, the Reds have a subpar record of 14-29 when they are the underdog and are -886 overall with the money line. They have played poorly as the underdog as of late. They managed a 1-3 record when playing as the underdog and an SU record of 3-7. The Reds have racked up 82 steals on the year, making them the most threatening base-running team in the league. The last 10 games have really brought the worst out of the Cincinnati pitchers. They allowed 5.6 runs per game during that span, which is higher than their season average of 4.4.
The previous four games have all gone Cincinnati’s way. This game will feature Cueto (RHP) on the mound against the Nationals, who have a 34-31 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Reds will be the right-hander Scherzer. They sport a 27-33 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – WSH, O/U – Over
Notes
Washington recorded at least two errors for the 10th time this season.
When the Nationals play into extra innings, they have a 5-1 record. The Reds are 4-6 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Reds managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Nationals who are heading in with a 13-7 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Reds are 29-10. The Nationals have a 35-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 22nd, Cincinnati sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 321 this season. Washington ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 360.
Ranking 11th, Cincinnati is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 251 this season. Washington ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 261.
When the Nationals hit at least one home run, they are 33-16. When the Reds hit at least one homer, they have a 31-22 record.
