Nationals vs. Reds Prediction
Will Stephen Strasburg help the Washington Nationals shut down the Cincinnati Reds when the two teams meet again at 2:10 p.m. ET on Saturday?
Game Snapshot
(903) Washington Nationals at (904) Cincinnati Reds
Saturday, March 31, 2018
TV: N/A, 2:10 p.m. ET
Likely Pitching Matchup: Stephen Strasburg vs. Luis Castillo
CURRENT ODDS
According to oddsmakers from online sports book YouWager, the Nationals are -157 money line favorites to beat the Reds, who are +141 on the money line to pull off the upset. The total, meanwhile, sits at 8 runs.
LINE MOVEMENT
The Nationals opened as -185 money line favorites but the line dropped to -157, while the Reds hit the board at +160 and had their odds drop to +141. The total, meanwhile, remains at 8 runs after hitting the board at that same number.
PUBLIC BETTING INFORMATION
As of this writing, 80% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Nationals to win on the money line. Meanwhile, 66% of the betting tickets are on the under.
OUR PREDICTION
Strasburg had a 10.5 strikeout rate a year ago and is coming off a season in which he allowed a career-low 2.72 FIP and a 0.7 HR/9 ratio. While Great American Ballpark is mostly a concern for pitchers, Strasburg is an elite player that should carve up the Reds’ lineup like teammate Max Scherzer did a day ago. On the other side, Castillo skipped Triple-A and while he could have some early success against the Nationals because they’re unfamiliar with him, eventually Washington is going to get to the youngster. And even if Castillo does pitch better than expected, the Reds’ bullpen should falter.
SATURDAY MLB PREDICTION: WASHINGTON NATIONALS -157