PREMIUM
3-Game MLB SWEEPER PASS
(MLB) Washington vs. Atlanta,
Money Line: -138.00 Washington (Away)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -138.00 Washington (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: Tanner Roark and Sean Newcomb battled in a pitchers duel in the Braves lower-scoring 4-2 win yesterday. Washington though had won six in a row and eight of nine before yesterday's setback and suffice it to say, I'm expecting the hard-hitting visiting side to bounce back here. And previous to last night's victory, the Braves had split a series with the Mets, including a 4-1 loss at home on Wednesday.
The pitching matchup: Stephen Strasburg gets the nod for Washington. Strasburg is 6-4 with a 3.13 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. Strasburg has been sharp of late, going 2-1 with a 1.96 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with seven walks and 24 strikeouts over his last three starts. Strasburg has to be feeling confident here as he's 11-9 with a 3.84 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, to go along with 44 walks compared to 183 strikeouts over 150 lifetime innings against ATL. And note that Strasburg has been even better at SunTrust Park by going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA, 0.955 WHIP, three walks and and 21 strikeouts over 14.2 innings of work.
Mike Foltynewicz is called upon to make this start by the home side. Foltynewicz is 5-3 with a 2.55 ERA and 1.283 WHIP. So far he's posted 29 walks with 69 strikeouts over 60 innings. Over his last three starts Foltynewicz has gone 1-1 with a 1.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP with ten walks and 22 strikeouts spanning 18 innings. However, Foltynewicz has struggled against the Nationals whenever he's faced them, going 3-3 with a 4.89 ERA, 1.512 WHIP and 17 walks with 33 strikeouts over 42.1 innings of work. Also note that he's been rather pedestrian at home throughout his career, going 6-6 with a 3.80 ERA, 1.458 WHIP and 39 walks with 101 strikeouts over 94.2 innings.
The pick: Take it for what it is, but the Nationals are 20-12 (+4.4 units) in all night games this year, while Atlanta is just 18-19 (-1.2 units) in all night contests this season. The Braves have been better than advertised this year, but I'm not convinced that Foltynewicz has taken his play to "the next level." Strasburg is firing on all cylinders though and I think he's the correct call along with the revenge-minded Nationals.
The pitching matchup: Stephen Strasburg gets the nod for Washington. Strasburg is 6-4 with a 3.13 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. Strasburg has been sharp of late, going 2-1 with a 1.96 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with seven walks and 24 strikeouts over his last three starts. Strasburg has to be feeling confident here as he's 11-9 with a 3.84 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, to go along with 44 walks compared to 183 strikeouts over 150 lifetime innings against ATL. And note that Strasburg has been even better at SunTrust Park by going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA, 0.955 WHIP, three walks and and 21 strikeouts over 14.2 innings of work.
Mike Foltynewicz is called upon to make this start by the home side. Foltynewicz is 5-3 with a 2.55 ERA and 1.283 WHIP. So far he's posted 29 walks with 69 strikeouts over 60 innings. Over his last three starts Foltynewicz has gone 1-1 with a 1.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP with ten walks and 22 strikeouts spanning 18 innings. However, Foltynewicz has struggled against the Nationals whenever he's faced them, going 3-3 with a 4.89 ERA, 1.512 WHIP and 17 walks with 33 strikeouts over 42.1 innings of work. Also note that he's been rather pedestrian at home throughout his career, going 6-6 with a 3.80 ERA, 1.458 WHIP and 39 walks with 101 strikeouts over 94.2 innings.
The pick: Take it for what it is, but the Nationals are 20-12 (+4.4 units) in all night games this year, while Atlanta is just 18-19 (-1.2 units) in all night contests this season. The Braves have been better than advertised this year, but I'm not convinced that Foltynewicz has taken his play to "the next level." Strasburg is firing on all cylinders though and I think he's the correct call along with the revenge-minded Nationals.
