In a game that has the potential for a lot of runs, Mat Latos (0-3, 6.86 ERA) and the Miami Marlins (12-14) are in Washington to square off against Stephen Strasburg (2-2, 4.60 ERA) and the Nationals (13-14). This is the second of a three-game series at Nationals Park. The Nationals won the last game 6-4 and Washington leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May. 5 and can be seen on FSN-FL and MASN.
Strasburg is 9-6 with a 3.58 ERA in his appearances against the Marlins, and goes up against a good Miami offense which is batting .270 this season. Yunel Escobar (.311, 10 Rs, 2 HRs, 7 RBIs) had another good game yesterday, going 5 for 5 with one run and two RBIs. Latos is 3-2 with a 2.68 ERA when pitching against the Nationals. He is up against a below-average Washington offense which is hitting just .239 this season. Dee Gordon (.433, 16 Rs, 11 RBIs, 12 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run and one stolen base.
Washington is a -177 favorite against Miami and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Nationals have an overall money line of -551 and a record as the favorite of 9-10. Within its division, Washington has an 8-9 record as favorite and a 10-10 record SU.
In games where it is the underdog, Miami has a 4-5 record and an overall money line of -298. They have managed to pull off a perfect record over their last ten games while playing as the underdog, and have an 8-2 SU record over the same span. The Marlins are tough outs for opponents, ranking third in the NL with 9.0 hits per game. The Marlins allow 3.8 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 2.3 runs per game during that span. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Marlins are the best in the NL with an average of 7.5 hits allowed per game.
The Marlins lead the season series, 3-1. The Nationals have an 8-12 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Latos takes the mound. Strasburg (RHP) will be on the hill against the Marlins, who have an 8-12 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – MIA, O/U – Over
Notes
When they lead after 7 innings, both Washington and Miami have a 6-7 record.
The Nationals are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded nine strikeouts. The Marlins have a record of 4-7 when they are struck out that many times or more.
It looks like the Nationals have a slight leg up on the Marlins, as the Nationals have won their last three games while the Marlins have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Marlins are 11-5. The Nationals have a 10-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Both falling in the top half of the league based on total runs this season, Washington ranks 12th with 111 runs and Miami is 11th with 114.
Ranking 18th, Miami is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 70 this season. Washington ranks in the top five at fifth with 89.
When the Nationals hit at least one home run, they are 9-6. When the Marlins hit at least one homer, they have a 5-6 record.
