Nationals vs. Dodgers Prediction
An epic pitcher’s duel is set for 10:10 p.m. ET on Friday night when the Washington Nationals visit the Los Angeles Dodgers. What is the best bet on the board when Max Scherzer faces Clayton Kershaw in the pitcher’s matchup?
Game Snapshot & Odds
913 Washington Nationals (+115) at 914 Los Angeles Dodgers (-135); 6 runs
Friday, April 20, 2018
10:10 p.m. ET, Dodgers Stadium
TV: MSN2 (WSH); SNLA (LAD)
Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager currently list the Dodgers as a -135 favorite. As of this writing, 54% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Dodgers to beat the Nationals on the money line. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Nationals’ Scherzer off to dominating start in 2018
Max Scherzer delivered another dominant performance in Saturday’s victory over the Rockies, striking out 11 over seven innings of two-run ball.
Scherzer allowed a one-out walk to Gerardo Parra in the first inning, then a two-run homer to Charlie Blackmon. That was it. He retired the last 20 batters that he faced in order. He also went 1-for-2 at the plate, tallying as many hits himself as the opposition had against him.
Now 3-1 on the season, he’ll carry a minuscule 1.33 ERA and 0.67 WHIP into Friday’s start against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
Kershaw also shutting down opponents
Clayton Kershaw struck out 12 while allowing a lone run over seven innings in a 7-2 win over the Diamondbacks on Sunday.
Kershaw gave up just two hits without issuing a walk, with Paul Goldschmidt’s seventh-inning solo homer counting as the only blemish against him on the day.
It was his most impressive turn to date this season, which is saying something considering he entered the game with a 1.89 ERA in his first three starts. He lowered that to 1.73, with a 0.88 WHIP and 31/3 K/BB ratio, marks upon which he’ll look to improve even further, if that’s possible, when the Nationals visit next Saturday.
MLB Betting Trends
Washington
The Nationals are 37-15 in Scherzer’s last 52 starts overall.
Los Angeles
The Dodgers have won 50 of Kershaw’s last 61 home starts.
Prediction:
I don’t know what’s a better value: Scherzer as an underdog or Kershaw as a cheap favorite. The Dodgers are a perfect 7-0 in Kershaw’s last seven home starts against the Nationals and have won 14 of his last 16 starts versus Washington overall. The Nationals are just 6-13 in their last 19 games versus the Dodgers and are 10-27 in their last 37 games in Los Angeles. I’ll take the Dodgers and pay the small price with Kershaw on the mound.
The Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -135