Reds vs. Nationals Prediction
Are the Nationals a safe runline play tonight when they host the Reds at 7:05PM ET?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Nationals are -260 money line favorites versus the Reds, who have odds of +220 to pull off the upset in Washington tonight. With Luis Castillo set to face Stephen Strasburg in the pitching matchup, the over/under currently sits at 9 runs.
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From Rotoworld: Castillo will be called up to make his major league debut Friday against the Nationals. Castillo earned the promotion by registering a 2.58 ERA and 81/13 K/BB ratio over 80 1/3 innings this season at Double-A Pensacola. Acquired from the Marlins in the Dan Straily trade, the 24-year-old right-hander has posted excellent numbers throughout the minor leagues and could have some matchup-to-matchup fantasy streaming value for however long he is up. The first-place Nationals present a big challenge out of the gate.
Strasburg allowed two runs over 5 1/3 innings in a win Saturday against the Mets. Strasburg wasn’t on top of his game, needing 106 pitches to get through one out in the sixth inning, but he limited the damage, allowing six hits and walking two. The win improved him to 8-2 with a 3.28 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 104/25 K/BB ratio across 14 starts. He’ll next take the hill Friday against the Reds.
Bet Tonight’s Reds vs. Nationals Game
OUR PREDICTION: The Reds have been flat horrible over the past two weeks. They’re 1-11 in their last 12 games overall, are 1-9 in their last 10 games coming off a loss, and are 1-8 in their last nine games versus a team with a winning record. They’re also 6-22 in their last 28 road games, are 1-4 in their last five games in Washington, and have dropped four of five games against the Nationals. Washington is 1-4 in Strasburg’s last five starts against the Reds, but it makes zero sense to back Cincinnati in the team’s current state.
FRIDAY MLB PREDICTION: WASHINGTON NATIONALS -1.5 (-125)