Nationals, Strasburg take on scorching Pirates
Stephen Strasburg didn’t throw for the National League in the 87th MLB All-Star Game. He was too busy putting his regular team’s best interests in mind.
The 12-0 righty hopes to begin Washington’s second half with a bang tonight, as the surging Pirates visit the nation’s capital. Oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI prefer the home club, while Pittsburgh enters as a +175 underdog. The over/under run total stands at 7.5.
Usual rotation running mate Max Scherzer fired a scoreless inning on Tuesday, but Strasburg opted out of the proceedings in San Diego. Having missed significant portions of previous pennant races, the San Diego native yearned to be completely ready for the Nationals’ stretch run in 2016. His push to the finish line begins at 7:05 p.m. ET, against a squad that holds an 8-2 record this month. After a largely miserable three-month period, Andrew McCutchen even seems alive and well. The Buccos’ mainstay in center field ripped homers in consecutive contests last weekend to give him 14 on the year.
Unfortunately for the Steel City faithful, Francisco Liriano’s efforts on the mound are becoming more and more troublesome. Through 92 2/3 innings, he has surrendered an NL-high 58 walks. In eight appearances away from PNC Park, the southpaw is 2-4 with a 6.80 ERA.
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Nevertheless, we’re not counting on Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy to utterly obliterate Liriano, who still limits lefties to a .209 average. Prepare for a low-scoring affair between a pair of behemoths in the senior circuit.
FRIDAY MLB FREE PICK: PIRATES/NATIONALS UNDER 7.5 RUNS