The Colorado Rockies are heading east to Nationals Park to play the Washington Nationals. Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will be televising this NL showdown. The game is scheduled to get underway at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Colorado Rockies vs. Washington Nationals Odds
Vegas is listing Colorado (+165) as the underdog to Washington (-175). The total is sitting at 8 runs and bettors can take the over for -120 or the under for even money (+100). You can also wager on the game’s spread with the runline odds sitting at Rockies +1.5 runs (-135) and Nationals +-1.5 runs (+115).
The Nationals are 6-6 SU and 5-6 ATS. They’ve lost 2.1 units for moneyline bettors and 1.1 units against the spread (ATS). Washington has covered the spread only twice in its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven. The Rockies have gone 6-7 SU this year and are 5-7 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 4.0 units for gamblers taking the moneyline in the season’s early going and 1.1 units ATS. Colorado has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Nationals games have a 5-4-2 over/under record so far in 2018. The Rockies have an over/under record of 6-5-1.
The Rockies have lost 4.8 units and are 3-4 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in three of those games, as opposed to three that’ve gone under against righties. On the other hand, the Nationals have lost 1.6 units and are 4-5 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in five of those games, compared to three that went under.
Right-hander Chad Bettis (1-0, 2.53 ERA) will get the start for Colorado. Bettis started nine games last year and finished the season 2-4 overall with a 5.05 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP.
The Nationals are going with lefty Gio Gonzalez (1-0, 1.59 ERA) as their starter. Gonzalez recorded 188 strikeouts over 201 innings last year (with 79 walks), while finishing the season 15-9 overall with a 2.96 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP.
Washington’s pitchers have allowed 4.7 runs per game overall this season as a unit. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.34, a WHIP of 1.16 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.5. The bullpen has a 5.26 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 11.4 K/9.
The Washington hitters have put up 4.5 runs per outing, including 3.9 per game over its last 10 games and 3.2 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .233/.324/.350 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Outfielders Bryce Harper and Adam Eaton have led the Nationals’ offense so far. Harper is hitting .316/.500/.789 with 12 hits, six homers, 12 RBIs and 13 runs scored, while Eaton’s line is .345/.424/.655 with 10 hits, five RBIs and 10 runs.
Eaton performed well against righties at home last season. Across 41 such plate appearances, he slashed .389/.463/.611 (a drop from his overall season line of .297/.393/.462).
In the visiting dugout, Colorado’s pitching staff allowed 4.8 runs per game and its starters own a 4.98 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 8.31 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.32, along with a WHIP of 1.52 and a K/9 of 8.46.
Rockies hitters have slashed .232/.308/.399 on their way to 3.9 runs scored per game this year, including 3.9 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Right fielder Charlie Blackmon and second baseman DJ LeMahieu have led Colorado’s hitters. Blackmon is slashing .282/.391/.641 with 11 hits, six RBIs and nine runs scored, while LeMahieu (.308/.390/.481) is up to 16 hits, two homers, four RBIs and six runs scored.
Blackmon didn’t do as well hitting against left-handed pitchers on the road last season. Across 120 such plate appearances, he maintained a slash line of .261/.317/.387 (compared to his total season line of .331/.399/.601).
Colorado Rockies at Washington Nationals Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Rockies, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Washington has recorded 20.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 20.0 over its last five.
- The Rockies have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games. The Nationals have hit 11 over their last 10.
