PREMIUM
Rogers' *VERY EARLY* Monday MELTDOWN >> +$30,540 since May 1st! <<
(MLB) Washington vs. Cincinnati,
Money Line: -143.00 Washington (Away)
Result: Win
Money Line: -143.00 Washington (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: Washington addressed its biggest problem area (bullpen) over the weekend by acquiring a pair of solid relievers from Oakland. The Nationals lead the NL in batting average (.279) and runs scored (515) while ranking third in starters' ERA (3.57) but 14 blown saves and a major-league worst 5.31 ERA from their relievers have kept them a "tick below" the Dodgers and Astros. Washington just acquired right-hander Ryan Madson and left-hander Sean Doolittle from Oakland in hopes of solving its bullpen woes. So far in this series at Cincy, relief has not been needed. The Nats have hit 10 HRs en route to outscoring the Reds 29-11 in winning the first three of this four-game series. Washington now owns a four-game winning streak and at 55-36, a 9 1/2 game lead in the NL East. The Reds have fallen to 39-52, 11 1/2 games out in the NL Central.
The pitching matchup: Stephen Strasburg (9-3 & 3.43 ERA) takes the mound for Washington and Scott Feldman (7-6 & 3.94 ERA) for Cincinnati. Strasburg did not pitch well in his last start prior to the break, allowing a season-high tying six runs (three earned) over a season-low three innings before leaving the game after getting hit in the hip by a come-backer. The Nats lost that July 8 game 13-1 but have not lost since. Strasburg is 2-1 with a 5.00 ERA in seven starts versus the Reds (Nats are 3-4). Feldman lost in his last outing (July 5 at Colorado) , allowing a pair of HRs among the four runs and five hits he allowed over five innings in a 5-3 Colorado win. However, he had gone 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA over his previous three outings (teams was 3-0), including a win in Washington on June 25 in which he permitted two runs and seven hits across seven innings. Feldman is 1-0 with a 2.50 ERA in three starts versus Washington (teams are 2-1).
The pick: Feldman has been solid at Great American Ball Park this season, going 4-2 with a 3.00 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in nine starts but the Reds are just 4-5. Avoiding a sweep at the hands of the Nats will be a difficult chore. Starsburg has to be looking to get back on track after his very poor July 8 start and note that the Nats have won four in a row since that game, outscoring opponents 39-16. As for Strasburg, he's 6-1 (2.61 ERA) on the road in 2017 over eight starts (Nats are 6-2). Make the Nats an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: Stephen Strasburg (9-3 & 3.43 ERA) takes the mound for Washington and Scott Feldman (7-6 & 3.94 ERA) for Cincinnati. Strasburg did not pitch well in his last start prior to the break, allowing a season-high tying six runs (three earned) over a season-low three innings before leaving the game after getting hit in the hip by a come-backer. The Nats lost that July 8 game 13-1 but have not lost since. Strasburg is 2-1 with a 5.00 ERA in seven starts versus the Reds (Nats are 3-4). Feldman lost in his last outing (July 5 at Colorado) , allowing a pair of HRs among the four runs and five hits he allowed over five innings in a 5-3 Colorado win. However, he had gone 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA over his previous three outings (teams was 3-0), including a win in Washington on June 25 in which he permitted two runs and seven hits across seven innings. Feldman is 1-0 with a 2.50 ERA in three starts versus Washington (teams are 2-1).
The pick: Feldman has been solid at Great American Ball Park this season, going 4-2 with a 3.00 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in nine starts but the Reds are just 4-5. Avoiding a sweep at the hands of the Nats will be a difficult chore. Starsburg has to be looking to get back on track after his very poor July 8 start and note that the Nats have won four in a row since that game, outscoring opponents 39-16. As for Strasburg, he's 6-1 (2.61 ERA) on the road in 2017 over eight starts (Nats are 6-2). Make the Nats an 8* play.
