Nationals vs. Blue Jays Saturday Pick
The Toronto Blue Jays took Game 1 of their weekend interlegaue series against the Washington Nationals in high-scoring fashion. Even though Max Scherzer is on the hill today for the Nationals, will Game 2 also be high-scoring?
Game Snapshot & Odds
979 Washington Nationals (-215) at 980 Toronto Blue Jays (+195); 8 runs
Saturday, June 16, 2018
4:07 p.m. ET, Rogers Centre
TV: WSH (MASN); TOR (SNET)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Nationals as a -215 favorite. As of this writing, 75% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Nationals to beat the Blue Jays 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 suffers loss despite allowing just two runs
Max Scherzer allowed two earned runs, four hits and three walks with nine strikeouts over seven innings in a loss against the visiting Giants on Sunday. Scherzer made just one mistake, a two-run homer to Brandon Crawford, to spoil his day and derail him in his quest for an 11th victory. It doesn’t help that Derek Holland and the Giants’ bullpen were also matching donuts with him all day long. Despite the loss, he is still 10-2 with a sparkling 2.00 and 0.85 WHIP. He’ll look to get back in the win column next Saturday in Toronto opposite Marco Estrada.
Blue Jays’ Estrada strikes out nine in blowout win over Orioles
Marco Estrada allowed just two runs over six innings while striking out nine in a victory over the Orioles on Sunday. It makes back-to-back strong starts for Estrada, who was blessed with plenty of run support in this one; even though he didn’t need it. He gave up two solo homers, but outside of that he allowed just two other hits, and he kept Baltimore hitters off-balance with his arsenal. Estrada still owns a 5.09 ERA, but we’ve seen him go on hot streaks before. He’s tough to trust as a streaming option for his next start against Washington and Max Scherzer on Saturday, however.
MLB Betting Trends
Washington
Despite losing 6-5 last night, the Nationals are still 4-1 in their last five games versus the Blue Jays when the game is played in Toronto.
Toronto
The Blue Jays have lost five of Estrada’s last six starts and are 1-4 in his last five interleague outings.
Prediction:
Even though Scherzer toes the rubber for the Nationals this afternoon I still like the over, which is 6-1 in his last seven starts coming off a team loss in their previous game. The over is also 4-0 in Estrada’s last four interleague starts and has cashed in five of the Blue Jays’ last seven games when facing a team with a winning record.
The Pick: Nationals/Blue Jays over 8