This is an 8* on WASHINGTON

We like Max Scherzer and the Nationals to beat the Reds today. Scherzer has dominated Cincinnati the last five times he’s faced them, going 5-0 with a 1.06 ERA. Just as impressive has been his recent form as it’s a 1.56 ERA and 0.87 WHIP from his last three starts. Washington is 4-0 when Scherzer starts at home and a 0.68 WHIP from the pitcher is obviously a big reason for that. Cincinnati hasn’t gotten much good pitching from anybody this year and the last time they sent out Tyler Mahle, he gave up seven runs in two innings. Mahle has faced the Nationals twice before and his ERA in those two starts is 12.15. Not only is it a significant pitching mismatch for the home team Tuesday, but they are also coming off a three-game sweep of Baltimore over the weekend. Cincinnati is 1-6 its last seven and giving up 7.1 runs per game in that stretch. They’ve been outscored 50-25 in those seven games. Play on WASHINGTON

AAA