Last Updated on September 1, 2017 6:05 pm by dpatrick
Nationals vs. Brewers Pick
Are the Washington Nationals going to get a win Friday night at the host Milwaukee Brewers? First pitch is at 8:10PM EST.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Brewers are a -140 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Nationals are a +120 underdog, while the over-under sits at 9.
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Tanner Roark (11-8, 4.63 ERA) will start for Washington, while Milwaukee will go with Jimmy Nelson (10-6, 3.75). Roark has a 1.34 WHIP with 131 strikeouts in 149 2/3 innings. He allowed three earned runs on five hits with nine strikeouts in six innings during a 5-4 win over the Mets his last time out. The Nationals have won six of his last 10 starts. Nelson holds a 1.27 WHIP with 181 strikeouts over 163 1/3 innings. He surrendered two earned runs on four hits with six strikeouts and two walks in 6 2/3 innings during a 3-2 win at the Dodgers. The Brewers have won his last three starts.
Washington comes in with an 81-52 record and is 41-25 on the road, while Milwaukee is 70-64 and 37-31 at home. The season series is tied 2-2, while the over-under is 2-1-1.
On Thursday, the Brewers won the series opener 6-3 as Zach Davies tied for the MLB lead with his 16th victory. He gave up two earned runs over seven innings of work. Jonathan Villar led the offense as he was 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs. Jesus Aguilar was 2-for-4 with a double, a run and two RBIs. Hernan Perez was 2-for-5 with a double and a run, while Stephen Vogt finished 3-for-4 with an RBI. Gio Gonzalez allowed five earned runs over six innings to take the loss for Washington. Trea Turner was 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, a stolen base two runs and an RBI. Michael Taylor was 2-for-3 with a double and a run.
Nelson returned to good form after a couple blips on the radar and he gets to face a Nationals team he was strong against the last time he faced them. Bryce Harper was also healthy when Nelson allowed two earned runs and struck out 10 over seven innings on July 26 at Washington. Roark has been better over the last couple months, but not good enough to convince us the Brewers can’t touch him up for a few.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: MILWAUKEE BREWERS -140