MLB: Toronto vs Washington Prediction
The Washington Nationals host the Toronto Blue Jays at Nationals Park in the District of Columbia on Monday in the opening game of a three-game set.
MLB Baseball Odds
Toronto Blue Jays (23-29) at Washington Nationals (28-22)
Date: Monday, June 1, 2015
Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
Venue: Nationals Park
City: Washington, D.C.
O/U Odds: 8
Money Line: Washington -150, Toronto +138
Pitching Matchup: RH R.A. Dickey (2-5, 5.77 ERA) at RH Jason Zimmermann (4-2, 3.26 ERA)
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The Nationals have dropped four of five, and a big reason has been the lackluster play of the team’s bullpen. Washington’s relievers gave up six runs in two innings of work in Sunday’s 8-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, and allowed 14 runs over 11 2/3 innings in that series.
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Washington sends out Jordan Zimmermann in hopes that he can stop some of that bleeding by lasting late into this one. He’ll be happy to see the calendar flip over to the month of June. He has helped the Nationals to a 12-4 record in his 16 June starts over the last three seasons.
His counterpart in this one, R.A. Dickey, has enjoyed success in the month of June as well. The Blue Jays are 11-5 when Dickey toes the rubber in the month of June over the last three seasons.
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He sports a 5.77 ERA after April and May, so June couldn’t come quickly enough for him.
A big issue for Dickey thus far has been when he’s thrown with runners in scoring position. Opposing batters are hitting .286 against him in that scenario.
FREE Blue Jays vs. Nationals Pick:
There are going to be some runs in this game, and while Zimmermann has been the more consistent pitcher of late, he just can’t be trusted to get American League hitters out on a consistent basis. In a game that projects as more of a toss-up, the under is the side.
With that said, the way to attack this game appears to be by playing the over. Dickey’s been hit hard lately, and while the Nationals haven’t been scoring a lot of runs, he’s the kind of pitcher they can get to, while the Blue Jays figure to provide him with some run support when they step up to the plate.
MLB Betting Trends:
The Blue Jays are 5-2 in their last seven interleague games, while the Nationals are 1-4 in Zimmermann’s last five starts against A.L. East opponents.
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The Nationals are 0-4 in their last four games against right-handed starts, and they are 1-4 in their last five games overall.
The over is 4-1 in the Blue Jays’ last five interleague games, and it is 5-2 in their last seven road games.
The over is 4-1 in Dickey’s last five interleague starts, and it is 5-0-1 in his last six starts on five days’ rest.
The over is 5-1 in the Nationals’ last six interleague home games.
The play: Toronto +138, Over 8
The over is 18-1 in Zimmerman’s last 19 starts on a Monday, and it is 7-1 in Zimmermann’s last eight starts in the opener of a series.
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