MLB Lines – Padres vs Nationals
The San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals will take the field Thursday to begin a four-game series in the Nation’s Capital.
SD: Eric Stults (L) (1-2, 4.35 ERA) v WAS: Jordan Zimmermann (R) (1-1, 3.92 ERA)
Date/Time: 7:05 pm ET Thursday, April 24, 2014
Venue: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
Broadcast: LOCAL
Line: Nationals -176
Total: 7.5
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San Diego (10-12) arrives in DC, losers of three of its last four games overall, which included dropping two of three to the Milwaukee Brewers in its last series.
The Padres problem is that they just are scoring enough to win games, tallying just three or less runs in eight of their last nine games. They have struggled miserably at the plate, with four batters having struck out at least 20 times this early in the season.
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Likewise, the Nationals (12-10) aren’t getting much offensive production either, scoring just three or less runs in five of their last six games.
They are coming off two of three losses to the Los Angeles Angles and have lost four of their last seven games overall.
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Ian Desmond has struck out 30 times, while slugger Jayson Werth has just one homerun in his last 13 games.
With that, both teams will rely on their pitching staff in this series, with the Padres calling on lefty Eric Stults, who is 1-2 on the season with a 4.35 ERA, and has allowed 24 hits and 10 earned runs over 20.2 innings.
The hard slinging lefty is 1-0 in as many starts against the Nationals, allowing just one run over eight innings.
Washington will counter with Jordan Zimmerman, who they hope will be more consistent when he takes the hill in game one. The right-hander is 1-1 on the year with a 3.92 ERA and has 23 strikeouts in 20.2 innings. He is 1- 2 with a 1.95 ERA in five career starts against the Padres.
Betting Trends:
- Under is 40-14-2 in SD last 56 overall.
- Under is 40-14-2 in SD last 56 on grass.
- SD are 3-7 in their last 10 road games.
- WAS are 24-5 in their last 29 Thu. games.
- Over is 11-3-1 in WAS last 15 overall.
- Over is 11-3-1 in WAS last 15 on grass.
- SD are 4-11 in the last 15 meetings.
Notes:
1. Washington 1B Adam LaRoche is 9-for-25 during his seven-game hitting streak and delivered the game-winning single Wednesday.
2. San Diego’s bullpen has allowed only one run in its last 31 innings – including 16 straight scoreless frames.
3. Stults has allowed at least one home run in five straight starts dating to last season.
Matt’s Free Prediction: UNDER
The Padres are 1-4 in their last five meetings in Washington.
This one is really hard to predict as far as a SU winner, as both teams lack any real offense.
Nevertheless, even though the Nats have struggled to score, they are at least at home and have the better lineup.
Still, if you’re looking for the better value, stay away from the moneyline and bet the UNDER in this one.
