Nationals vs. Diamondbacks Prediction
The Washington Nationals are now seven games back in the NL East standings after losing their last two games. Can Washington get back on the winning side of the coin tonight as it travels to the Arizona Diamondbacks for a series opener?
Game Snapshot
959 Washington Nationals at 960 Arizona Diamondbacks
Friday, August 2, 2019
Chase Field at 9:40PM ET
TV: FS-A
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Diamondbacks are a -150 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Nationals are a +140 underdog, while the total is set at 9.5 runs. As of Friday afternoon, 60 percent of public bets are coming in on host Arizona. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for up-to-date information.
Nats fall in 10 innings
Washington lost in 10 innings Thursday afternoon at home by a score of 5-4 to first-place Atlanta. Sean Doolittle took the loss in relief as he allowed one earned run on one hit with no strikeouts or walks over one inning of work. Juan Soto helped lead the Nationals offense as he finished 2-for-3 with a solo home run plus a walk. Matt Adams went 1-for-1 with a pinch-hit solo homer. Kurt Suzuki was 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. Joe Ross draws the start tonight for Washington as he enters with an 0-3 record, 9.85 ERA and 2.11 WHIP with 25 strikeouts over 24 2/3 innings pitched.
D-Backs falter late at Yanks
Arizona led 3-2 through six innings Wednesday afternoon in the last start for Zack Greinke with the D-Backs, but a rough day by the bullpen led to a 7-5 loss at New York. Yoshihisa Hirano took the loss in relief as he gave up three earned runs on three hits with no strikeouts or walks over one-third of an inning. Tim Locastro helped lead the Diamondbacks offense as he finished 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double. David Peralta went 3-for-4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI. Wilmer Flores ended the contest 2-for-5. Robbie Ray gets the start tonight for Arizona as he comes in with a 9-7 record, 3.91 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with 173 strikeouts over 129 innings.
MLB Betting Trends
Washington
The Nationals are 10-2 in their last 12 series openers. Washington is 7-19 in its last 26 Friday games.
Arizona
The Diamondbacks are 4-1 in the last five Ray starts. Arizona is 1-4 in its last five games versus the NL East.
Prediction:
This would seem to be a day to fade the Diamondbacks in their first game since trading Greinke and pushing further into rebuild status. But the Nats are turning to Ross and he hasn’t given me any cause for confidence. With Ray having the ability to dominate and Arizona generally producing enough offense at home, I like the hosts here.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS -150