Washington’s October stalwart faces Maeda
A glute strain limited Daniel Murphy to just three at-bats in the final two weeks of the regular season. Fortunately for Washington, he’s clearly back to full health.
After powering the Mets to last year’s World Series, Murphy is hoping to guide the 2016 Nationals to the same rarified territory. First, though, Dusty Baker’s group must break a 1-1 NLDS deadlock with the Dodgers. With the action shifting to Chavez Ravine this afternoon, online sports book Bovada.lv gives Los Angeles odds of -150 to regain the edge in the series. The class of the East Division, on the other hand, represents a +135 underdog.
Yesterday, Murphy’s three-hit performance helped the Nats claim a 5-2 victory. The second baseman owns a .404 average with five homers and 10 RBIs in his past 12 playoff contests. In a few hours, he’ll try to victimize Kenta Maeda (16-11, 3.48 ERA). The steady rookie righty led Dave Roberts’ staff in wins, innings (175 2/3) and strikeouts (179).
Baker counters with the ever-enigmatic Gio Gonzalez (11-11, 4.57). The veteran hurler went 1-2 with a 1.78 WHIP in five September appearances. Nonetheless, he’s poised to take advantage of a Los Angeles lineup that struggles against lefties. Catcher Yasmani Grandal boasts the lone base knock off a southpaw through 18 frames.
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Considering Maeda’s craftiness, he may not even toy with Murphy here. That would conceivably put the onus on Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth to deliver in big spots. We actually expect plenty of individuals to have success at the plate, so bank on a high-scoring affair.
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