In the first of a three-game series between the Washington Nationals (60-60) and the Milwaukee Brewers (52-70) at Nationals Park, Gio Gonzalez (9-5, 3.86 ERA) and Jimmy Nelson (9-9, 3.61 ERA) take the mound. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 21 and will air on FSWI and MAS2.
In his most recent outing, Gonzalez pitched 2.2 innings, allowing six runs, striking out one and walking two in a 12-6 loss to the Giants. Bryce Harper (.330, 84 Rs, 30 HRs, 73 RBIs, 5 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 3. The Brewers were unsuccessful to the Phillies 4-2 the last time Nelson pitched. He went 6.2 innings, allowing two runs, striking out six and walking two. Ryan Braun (.276, 71 Rs, 22 HRs, 72 RBIs, 18 SBs) went 1 for 4 Wednesday with two runs, one home run, and one RBI.
Washington is a -163 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is seven runs. The Nationals are 47-36 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -1,155. The Nationals have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire NL, averaging 4.2 runs per game. Washington’s pitching staff has fallen apart in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game rose to 5.2 during that span, compared to its 4.0 season average. The Nationals are the best in the NL in walks allowed, giving up just 2.1 per game.
Switching gears, the Brewers come into this game with a weak win percentage of .389 when playing as the underdog (28-44) and an overall money line of -1,834. 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 5-5. Milwaukee’s pitching staff and defense as a whole has been firing on all cylinders so far, ranking fourth in the NL with only three runs allowed per road game. They also allow just 8.3 hits per road game, good for fifth in the NL.
The Nationals will take on a right-hander (Nelson) in this game and have a 44-47 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The left-handed Gonzalez will take the mound against the Brewers, who have a 14-14 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – Was, O/U – Over
Notes
Milwaukee recorded at least two errors for the 23rd time this season.
After a weak showing last week where they got in four hits, the Nationals need to step it up. The Brewers have a record of 12-4 when opponents get four hits or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Nationals are 9-52. The Brewers have a 10-54 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 19th in home runs, Milwaukee has hit 106 this season. Washington ranks 12th with 119 home runs.
Washington and Milwaukee both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Washington sits at 12th with 8.35 hits per game and Milwaukee ranks 11th with 8.40.
Ranking 24th, Milwaukee is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.696). Washington ranks in the bottom half at 17th with an OPS of .709.
The Brewers are 30-48 when they allow at least one home run. The Nationals perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 24-36 record.
