Nationals vs Diamondbacks MLB Betting + Handicapping Picks
The playoff destined Nationals will meet up with an Arizona Diamondbacks team that is fighting to stay in the Western race.
Date/Time: Friday, August 10, 9:40 PM EST
Venue: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
Broadcast: MLB Regional, MASN2 (Washington), FOX Sports (Arizona)
LINE: Arizona +108 / O/U 8
Heading into their final game with the struggling Astros on Thursday night, the Nationals had won seven of eight games, and are playing some of their best baseball all year long. During that span, Washington has given up more than four runs just twice in the eight those games, so it all starts with pitching.
Something the Arizona Diamondbacks are familiar with.
The D’backs were a team that looked like sellers in the closing days of July. Then they went on a little run and found themselves within about three games of first place.
They have played to the tune of just 3-4 this month however, and if they expect to compete with the Giants and Dodgers for the top spot, they are going to have to put together some wins.
The problem though lies in the next two series against the red-hot Nationals and the Cardinals.
They are going to have to take something from these six games to stay in it.
The pitching match-up:
Nationals – Stephen Strasburg 12-5 2.97 ERA – 160 K’s – 1.13 WHIP
Strasburg is one the most prevailing pitchers in baseball right now. He always has the inning limit concern, but when he’s out there you can usually count on some dominating stuff. He’s never pitched in Arizona though, and for a guy that has given up some homers, Chase Field may not be very kind. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Diamondbacks – Trevor Cahill 9-9 3.76 ERA – 101 K’s – 1.32 WHIP
The entire body of work this year does not really look like a guy you should be trading two or three of your top pitching prospects for. Especially since one of them has actually outperformed him on the year at the big league level. Cahill is starting to come around though, and has allowed three earned or less in six of his last seven starts.
Players to watch for:
Nationals – Danny Espinosa .244/11/39/.314
Espinosa does not have a single hit off Cahill, and he is having a below average year. But it he’s had every big hit for the Nationals in the last month. Dating back to July 16, he has reached base safely in 19 of his last 25 games.
Diamondbacks – Chris Johnson .284/13/57/.333
Johnson is 2-for-3 off Strasburg in his career. Since becoming a Diamondback he has hit in 7-of-9 games (11-34) with an impressive five home runs. He has also driven in 16 runs during that time.
Matt’s Free Prediction: Washington- Even though the Diamondbacks have shown they can hit the ball, like in their recent series against the Pirates, I think they will hit a wall against Strasburg here.
