Marlins vs. Nationals Prediction
The Washington Nationals are only 5-17 in their last 22 games and were swept at home by the Boston Red Sox. Can Washington turn it around today as it opens another home series with the Miami Marlins?
Game Snapshot
901 Miami Marlins at 902 Washington Nationals
Thursday, July 5, 2018
Nationals Park at 7:05PM ET
TV: MASN (WASH)
Compare odds from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new Baseball Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Nationals are a -178 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Marlins are a +168 underdog, while the total is set at 9 runs. As of Thursday morning, 85 percent of public bets are pouring in on host Washington. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Marlins shut down Rays
One day after falling in a 16-inning marathon, Miami rebounded at home against Tampa Bay by winning 3-0 Wednesday afternoon to take two out of three in the series. The Marlins took the lead with two runs in the sixth, while an insurance run was scored in the eighth. J.T. Riddle paced the offense by going 3-for-4 with a home run, a triple, two runs and two RBIs. Starlin Castro was 2-for-3 plus a walk, scoring a run. Justin Bour finished 0-for-2, but drew two walks. Drew Rucinski picked up the win as he threw two scoreless innings of relief, giving up one hit while striking out two and walking none.
Nationals continue poor play
Washington limped to a 3-0 loss at home Wednesday afternoon as Boston finished its series sweep. Trea Turner was 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and was the only Nats player with multiple hits. Of the six hits by the hosts, none went for extra bases. Ryan Madson took the loss in relief as he surrendered two earned runs on two hits with no strikeouts and one walk in an inning of work.
Pablo Lopez (1-0, 3.00 ERA) draws the start today for Miami, while Washington turns to Jeremy Hellickson (2-1, 2.63).
MLB Betting Trends
Miami
The Marlins are 5-22 in their last 27 Thursday games. The over is 5-1-2 in the last eight Miami games following a win.
Washington
The Nationals are 19-7 in the last 26 meetings. The under is 18-7-3 in the last 28 Washington games on a Thursday.
Prediction:
It is hard to fathom how the Nationals are struggling so much with so much talent on the roster, but here we are. The lowly Marlins could be the antidote to help them turn it around. But with a Miami offense that doesn’t have a lot of firepower plus a slumping Nats lineup, I’m going to go with the under here. Washington hasn’t seen Lopez yet and that could be a boost for the young pitcher, while Hellickson has been solid when healthy.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: MARLINS/NATIONALS UNDER 9