The set-up: This series features a couple of competitive match-ups on the mound and there's no question that this is one of them. That said, I do think that Max Scherzer and the opportunistic Nationals are worth the price of admission in this one. The home side sends Kevin Gausman to the hill.

The pitchers: Scherzer is so far 17-6 with a 2.31 ERA. The veteran is in line for a Cy Young award and he'll be looking to improve upon his already impressive 8-3, 2.04 ERA record on the road.

Gausman is so far 9-10 with a 3.89 ERA. He most recently got shelled for four runs off seven hits with four walks over 4.2 innings in a loss to the Diamondbacks on Friday. Overall Gausman has been solid for his new club, but I still think he's in well over his head in this match-up.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Washington is 7-2 in its last nine night National League road games in which it's a favorite in the -125 to -200 range. Bank on Scherzer coming in focused in this important matchup and lay the price.