Nationals vs. Brewers Pick
The Washington Nationals and host Milwaukee Brewers begin a four-game series Thursday night. First pitch is at 8:10PM EST.
The Brewers are listed as a -118 favorite to win on the moneyline according to sports book Bovada.lv. The Nationals are a -102 underdog and the over-under is set at 8.5.
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Gio Gonzalez (13-5, 2.40 ERA) starts for Washington, while Milwaukee will go with Zach Davies (15-7, 3.91). Gonzales enters with a 1.11 WHIP and 152 strikeouts over 168 2/3 innings. He surrendered two earned runs on six hits with two strikeouts and a walk over 6 2/3 innings in his last start, a 9-4 home win over the Mets. Davies has a 1.35 WHIP with 105 strikeouts over 156 2/3 innings. He is coming off a spectacular start as he threw seven shutout innings in a 3-0 win at the Dodgers, allowing three hits and striking out seven.
Washington is 81-54 overall and 41-24 on the road, while Milwaukee is 69-64 and 36-31 at home. The Nationals have won two of three in the season series with the total going over twice.
The Nationals are coming off a home three-game sweep over the Marlins, winning 4-0 Wednesday. Stephen Strasburg threw a complete-game shutout as he gave up six hits while striking out eight and walking one. He also had two hits including his second home run of the season. Wilmer Difo was 2-for-4 with a solo home run. Anthony Rendon finished 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. The Brewers split a two-game home series with the Cardinals, winning 6-5 on Wednesday. Domingo Santana was 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs. Jonathan Villar went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs and three RBIs. Eric Sogard and Hernan Perez were both 2-for-4 with an RBI. Chase Anderson gave up three earned runs over six innings to get the win.
Gonzalez is having his best season in years and here you get him as a small underdog, albeit on the road. While Davies was fantastic in his last start and during the second half of the season, he’s still a pitcher without a high strikeout rate and prone to getting blown up from time to time. Not saying he will here, but he’s going to have to be sharp matching up with Gonzalez. Take Washington in this one.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: WASHINGTON NATIONALS -102