The Washington Nationals will head west to play the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park. The game gets underway 10:10 p.m. ET and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will televise this NL matchup.
Washington Nationals at San Diego Padres Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Washington (-170) as the favorite over San Diego (+160). Bettors can wager on the games total with odds sitting at -110 for over seven runs and -110 for under seven. The games runline odds sit at -120 for taking the Nationals -1.5 runs and +100 for the Padres +1.5.
The Nationals have gone 18-17 SU this year and are 17-17 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 6.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline in the seasons early going, despite having gained 0.8 units ATS. Washington has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Padres, on the other hand, are 13-22 SU and 14-20 ATS. They’ve lost 5.7 units for moneyline bettors and 11.6 units ATS. San Diego has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has cashed in five of those seven.
San Diego games have an over/under record of 16-16-2 so far in 2018. The Nationals have an over/under record of 15-17-2.
Right-hander Stephen Strasburg is the projected starter for the visiting Nationals. Strasburg is 3-3 with a 3.47 ERA and 54 strikeouts. He has yet to face San Diego this year, but he did make two starts against the team in 2017, compiling a 1-1 record with a 1.38 ERA and 23 strikeouts.
The Padres are turning to righty Tyson Ross (2-2, 3.28 ERA), who has 40 strikeouts and 13 walks to his credit as well as a 1.18 WHIP. Ross did not record a start against the Nationals in 2017.
San Diego’s pitching staff has given up 5.0 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. The teams starters have an ERA of 5.29, a WHIP of 1.65 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.5. The bullpen has a 3.26 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 9.9 K/9.
The San Diego hitters have produced 3.9 runs per outing, including 3.9 per game over its last 10 games and 3.4 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .217/.300/.395 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
First baseman Eric Hosmer and third baseman Christian Villanueva have led the Padres hitters so far. Hosmer is slashing .297/.403/.534 with five home runs, 12 RBIs and 18 runs scored, while Villanueva’s line is .265/.351/.592 with nine homers, 20 RBIs and 17 runs.
Hosmer seemed to enjoy hitting righty pitching at home last year, slashing .354/.439/.615 across 221 such plate appearances (compared to his total season line of .318/.385/.498).
In the visiting dugout, Washington’s pitching staff allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starters own a 3.19 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 10.18 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.69, along with a WHIP of 1.10.
The Nationals offense has slashed .241/.338/.403 on its way to 4.7 runs scored per game in 2018, including 5.0 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 5.0 per game over the teams last five outings (4-1 SU).
Washington’s offensive production been led by Bryce Harper and Matt Adams, who collectively have blasted 20 home runs. Harper is slashing .246/.427/.579 with 12 home runs, 28 RBIs and 29 runs scored, while Adams (.296/.412/.676) has produced eight homers, 18 RBIs and 15 runs scored.
Compared to his total season slash line of .317/.411/.596, Harper performed well against righties on the road in 2017, putting up a slash line of .319/.438/.681 across 176 such plate appearances.
The Nationals have gained 0.7 units and are 12-11 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 12 of those games, compared to 10 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Padres have lost 5.3 units and are 9-12 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in nine of those games, compared to 10 that’ve gone under.
Washington Nationals at San Diego Padres Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The Nationals have won seven of their last eight games SU.
- Washington has recorded 21.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 19.4 over its last five.
- The Nationals have hit 18 home runs in their last 10 games. The Padres have hit nine over their last 10.
