Miami Marlins vs. Washington Nationals Betting Preview

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The Miami Marlins are set to face off against their division rival Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. The matchup will be televised nationally on Fox and the opening pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET.

Miami Marlins vs. Washington Nationals Odds

Oddsmakers are listing Washington (-335) as the favorite over Miami (+270). The total is sitting at 7 runs and bettors can take the over or the under for -110. Gamblers can also bet on the games runline with the odds sitting at Marlins +1.5 runs (+135) and Nationals -1.5 runs (-155).

The Marlins have gone only 36-54 SU this year and are 47-42 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 0.6 units for moneyline gamblers, despite having lost 4.5 units ATS. Miami has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven. The Nationals, on the other hand, are 44-43 SU and 41-45 ATS. They’ve lost 16.5 units for moneyline bettors and 6.0 units ATS. Washington has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.

Washington games have a 34-50-2 over/under record thus far in 2018. The Marlins have an over/under record of 45-42-2.

Wei-Yin Chen is getting the start for Miami. The left-handed Chen (2-5, 5.55 ERA) has racked up 46 strikeouts in 61.2 innings so far. He’s 0-0 with six strikeouts and a 1.23 ERA against Washington this year.

The Nationals are going with righty Max Scherzer (10-5, 2.16 ERA), who has 174 strikeouts and 30 walks, as well as a 0.87 WHIP. Scherzer is 1-0 with four strikeouts and a 6.00 ERA in one start against Miami this year.

Miami’s pitchers have allowed 5.0 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.65 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 7.62 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.82, along with a WHIP of 1.33.

The Marlins offense has slashed .242/.310/.364 on its way to 3.7 runs scored per game this year, including 3.6 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.2 per game over the teams last five contests (2-3 SU).

Second baseman Starlin Castro and third baseman Brian Anderson continue to lead Miami’s offense. Castro is slashing .297/.345/.406 with five home runs, 32 RBIs and 54 runs scored. Anderson has a .284 average with six homers, 44 RBIs and 50 runs scored.

For the home team, Washington’s pitching staff has given up 4.0 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have an ERA of 3.83, a WHIP of 1.21 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.4. The bullpen has a 3.74 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 8.9 K/9. In 31 games against NL East opponents, Nationals starters have an ERA of 4.46 and the bullpens ERA is 4.42.

The Washington offense is putting up 4.3 runs per outing, including 4.7 per game against divisional foes and 4.8 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .276/.356/.435 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.

The Nationals offense has been led by shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Anthony Rendon. Turner is hitting .282/.359/.427 with 11 home runs, 37 RBIs, 51 runs and 22 stolen bases, and Rendon’s line is .281/.348/.512 with 12 homers, 37 RBIs and 36 runs.

The Marlins have gained 0.3 units and are 31-33 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 32 of those games, compared to 30 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Nationals have lost 16.9 units and are 9-17 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The overs hit in 10 of those games, compared to 15 that’ve cashed the under.

Miami Marlins at Washington Nationals Prediction

Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Marlins, O/U – UNDER

Betting Notes

  • The under has hit in four of Washington’s last seven games.
  • The Marlins have lost three of their last four games SU.
  • Miami has posted 22.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 27.6 over its last five.
  • The Marlins have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games. The Nationals have hit 16 over their last 10.