Nationals vs. Reds Prediction
Will Max Scherzer lead the Nationals to victory tonight in Cincinnati where Washington will visit the Reds at 7:10PM ET?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Nationals are -180 money line favorites versus the Reds, who have odds of +165 to pull off the upset it home. With Scherzer set to face Luis Castillo in the pitching matchup, the over/under currently sits at 9 runs.
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Via Rotoworld: Scherzer threw a season-high 120 pitches while allowing four runs over 7 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Braves on Friday. Scherzer emptied the tank in his final start before the All-Star break. He held the Braves to one run over his first six innings before Freddie Freeman slugged a go-ahead homer in the seventh. Freeman then singled home two more runs in the eighth. Scherzer struck out 10 batters and walked one in the no-decision. He has reached double-digits in strikeouts in eight out of his last nine starts. He’ll finish the first half with a brilliant 2.10 ERA and an NL-leading 173 strikeouts over 128 1/3 innings.
Castillo allowed three singles and a walk across 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a victory in Arizona on Saturday. Castillo struck out eight batters in the 113-pitch quality start for his first major league victory. He was recalled from Double-A Pensacola on June 23 and manager Bryan Price confirmed shortly after that Castillo would remain in the rotation. If he continues to pitch like he did against a contender on the road, he has a very bright fantasy future.
Bet Tonight’s Nationals vs. Reds Game
OUR PREDICTION: Normally with a money line price this high, I’d recommend taking the Nationals on the runline. That said, given Washington’s struggles in the pen this year, I’d advice to roll the dice on the money line, even though it’s expensive. The Nationals are 24-8 in Scherzer’s last 32 road starts, are 38-18 in his last 56 outings overall, and are 23-11 in his last 34 starts after scoring five runs or more in their previous game. On the their side, the Reds are 1-5 in their last six games versus National League East opponents.
SATURDAY MLB PREDICTION: WASHINGTON NATIONALS -180