Last Updated on April 9, 2016 12:37 pm by Brad Burns
Nats to mash their way past Marlins?
The Nationals are accepting applications to fill the hole the hole in their starting rotation beyond the Big Three. Consider today’s contest vs. the Marlins a first interview of sorts for Joe Ross.
When Washington and Miami meet at 4:05 p.m. ET, the 22-year-old Ross will assume the honors for the host club. Oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI like the Nats as 1.5-run favorites, with an over/under total of eight runs.
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While Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez represent Dusty Baker’s staff mainstays, the skipper would love to crystallize matters at the back end. Enter Ross, who posted a 5-5 record and 3.64 ERA in 16 outings last season. The bruised heel that curtailed his Grapefruit League schedule no longer presents an issue.
On the opposing side, Miami sends its primary innings-eater to the bump. Tom Koehler has logged at least 187 frames in each of the past two campaign. Nonetheless, the track record at Nationals Park – 1-4 with a 6.42 ERA – leaves much to be desired.
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The Marlins boast double-digit hits in all three contests, but the nonexistent production with runners scoring position accounts for their 1-2 mark. Ross occasionally endures stretches of sketchy control, so it’s an intriguing matchup on paper. Stay on the low side in terms of scoring.
SATURDAY MLB FREE PICK: MARLINS/NATIONALS UNDER 8 RUNS
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