Nationals vs. Giants Monday Prediction
After a successful series in Anaheim over the weekend, the San Francisco Giants return home to host the Washington Nationals. After taking two of three from the Angels, will the Giants pull off the small upset versus the Nats?
Game Snapshot & Odds
957 Washington Nationals (-124) at 958 San Francisco Giants (+106); 7.5 runs
Monday, April 23, 2018
10:15 p.m. ET, AT&T Park
TV: WSH (MSN2); SFG (CSBA)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager currently list the Nationals as a -124 favorite. As of this writing, 65% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Nationals to beat the Giants 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’ Gonzalez earns second win of the month
Gio Gonzalez allowed three runs — two earned — over five innings in Thursday’s loss to the Rockies. Gio struggled in the early going, allowing two quick runs in the first inning and another in the second, but he straightened out to toss three scoreless to finish off his outing. He gave up five hits and walked three, striking out seven, in total.
In his last start, Gonzalez pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing eight hits but limiting the Mets to two runs to pick up just his second win of the month.
Stratton has been nice surprise for Giants
Chris Stratton held the Diamondbacks to one run on five hits over seven innings but did not earn a decision on Wednesday. The bullpen blew the lead in the ninth to cost him the win.
He struck out eight batters without issuing a walk. He fired seven innings of shutout baseball and went back out for the eighth inning. He gave up a leadoff double to Nick Ahmed and a triple to Jarrod Dyson before being relieved.
He was fortunate the bullpen was able to strand that runner at third base or it could have taken the shine off his magnificent outing. Stratton is 1-1 with a phenomenal 2.22 ERA in four starts.
MLB Betting Trends
Washington
The Nationals are 6-1 in their last seven games versus the Giants and have won five of their last seven games in San Francisco.
San Francisco
The Giants are 23-52 in their last 75 games following a win and are 6-20 in their last 26 games versus National League East opponents.
Prediction:
The Nationals have owned the Giants in the regular season but I like San Francisco as an underdog in this spot. The Nationals just played in L.A. for Sunday night baseball and while the travel isn’t that rigorous, they also cost themselves an opportunity to win their series after Max Scherzer out-duel Clayton Kershaw on Friday night. Stratton, meanwhile, has been one of the better surprises for a Giants team that was decimated by injuries at the start of the season. If San Francisco can figure out Gio, I like the Giants in a tight one.
The Pick: San Francisco Giants +106