Nationals vs. Diamondbacks Prediction
Following a low-scoring Game 1 matchup, will the second game of this weekend’s Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks’ series also turn low-scoring on Friday night? The two teams will meet again at 9:40 p.m. ET.
Game Snapshot & Odds
959 Washington Nationals (-213) at 960 Arizona Diamondbacks (+175); 7.5 runs
Friday, May 11, 2018
9:40 p.m. ET, Chase Field
TV: WSH (MSN2); ARI (FSAZ)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Nationals as a -213 favorite. As of this writing, 54% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Nationals to beat the Diamondbacks on the moneyline. 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 strikes out 15 Phillies in last start
Max Scherzer picked up a no decision on Sunday despite striking out 15 hitters in 6 1/3 innings against the Phillies. Scherzer was dominant — again — on Sunday, and the only run came on an RBI single from Nick Williams off of Sammy Solis that was charged to him after he was pulled with 111 pitches and a runner on second. It’s the fifth double-digit strikeout game for the right-hander, and he’s currently on pace to strike out 370 hitters. Expect more dominance from the 2017 Cy Young Award winner on Friday when he faces the Diamondbacks.
Diamondbacks’ Koch posts another quality start
Matt Koch kept the Astros to one run on six hits over six innings in a 3-1 win Sunday. Koch allowed a solo homer to Alex Bregman in the second inning but nothing more, registering his third quality start in four outings since replacing Taijuan Walker in the D’backs rotation. It’s not sexy — he’s struck out just 17 in 25 1/3 innings of work this year — but it’s been effective thus far, as he’s now 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA and 0.99 WHIP on the season.
MLB Betting Trends
Washington
The Nationals are 6-1 in their last seven games in Arizona, have won 28 of their last 41 games versus the Diamondbacks overall, and are 5-1 in Scherzer’s last six starts versus the D-Backs.
Arizona
The over is 7-2 in the last nine meetings between these two teams in Arizona but the under is 4-1 in the last five meetings between these two teams overall.
Prediction:
I love the under here. Scherzer should shut down this Arizona lineup and Chase Field has turned into more of a neutral park now that the Diamondbacks have included a humidor. The under is 4-0 in Koch’s last four home starts, is 5-1 in his last six outings overall, and is 5-2-1 in Scherzer’s last eight road starts.
The Pick: Nationals/Diamondbacks under 7.5