The Colorado Rockies are ready to take on the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. This NL matchup will get going at 7:05 p.m. ET and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will broadcast the game.
Colorado Rockies vs. Washington Nationals Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Washington (-175) as the favorite over Colorado (+165). Bettors can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at -120 for over nine runs and +100 for under nine. Runline odds stand at -135 for taking the Rockies +1.5 runs and +115 for the Nationals -1.5.
The Rockies are 7-7 SU and have gone 6-7 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 3.0 units for moneyline gamblers this year, despite having gained 0.3 units ATS. Colorado’s covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. The Nationals are 6-7 SU and 5-7 ATS. They’ve lost 3.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 2.1 units ATS. Washington has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Nationals games have an over/under record of 5-5-2 so far in 2018. The Rockies have an over/under record of 6-6-1.
The Rockies have gained 1.9 units and are 3-3 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in three of those games, compared to three that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Nationals have lost 0.6 units and are 1-1 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in zero of those games, compared to one that’ve gone under.
Kyle Freeland (0-2, 5.56 ERA) will get the start for the visiting Rockies. The southpaw Freeland started 28 games last year while finishing the season 11-11 overall with a 4.10 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP.
The Nationals will be turning to righty Tanner Roark (1-0, 4.50 ERA), who struck out 166 hitters over 181 innings last year with 64 walks, while finishing the season 13-11 overall with a 4.67 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. He made two starts against Colorado a year ago and assembled a 1-1 record with a 5.40 ERA and 12 strikeouts.
As a unit, Washington’s pitching staff has allowed 4.7 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starters have an ERA of 3.36, a WHIP of 1.18 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.7. The bullpen has a 5.19 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 11.0 K/9.
Washington’s offense is putting up 4.2 runs per outing, including 3.4 per game over its last 10 games and 3.0 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .230/.318/.354 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Nationals’ batters have been led by outfielders Bryce Harper and Adam Eaton. Harper is hitting .286/.467/.714 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 scored.
Harper had a slight drop-off in production when hitting lefty pitching at home in 2017, slashing .295/.362/.328 across 69 such plate appearances (compared to his overall season line of .317/.411/.596).
In the other dugout, Colorado’s pitchers have allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starters own a 4.63 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 8.13 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.15, along with a WHIP of 1.44 and a K/9 of 8.48.
Rockies hitters have slashed .233/.307/.406 on their way to 4.0 runs scored per game this year, including 3.7 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Second baseman DJ LeMahieu and right fielder Charlie Blackmon have led Colorado’s offense. LeMahieu is hitting .351/.422/.649 with 20 hits, eight RBIs and eight runs scored, while Blackmon (.282/.391/.641) is up to 11 hits, four homers, six RBIs and nine runs scored.
Compared to his overall season slash line of .331/.399/.601, Blackmon did not do as well hitting against right-handed pitchers on the road last season, maintaining a slash line of just .284/.346/.476 across 254 such plate appearances.
Colorado Rockies at Washington Nationals Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Rockies, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Washington has recorded 18.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 19.4 over its last five.
- The Rockies have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games, including six over their last five.
