Padres vs. Nationals Prediction
Will Stephen Strasburg shut down the Padres today when the Nationals host San Diego at 4:05PM ET for Game 2 of the series?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Nationals are -235 money line favorites versus the Padres, who have odds of +197 to pull off the massive upset. With Clayton Richard set to face Strasburg in the pitching matchup, the over/under currently sits at 8 runs.
MLB Quick Links: Scores & Matchups | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Betting Trends | ATS Stats
Richard was marvelous in Sunday’s 5-1 win over the Diamondbacks, surrendering just one run on five hits while tossing a complete game. Outside of a Chris Iannetta solo home run in the third inning, Richard kept the Diamondbacks off the scoreboard. He struck out six without walking a batter in the contest. While this was a very strong performance, consistency has not been Richard’s forte of late. He has allowed at least five runs in three of his last six starts, but just four total runs in his other three outings combined over that period. On the whole, he holds a 4.31 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over the course of 10 starts.
Strasburg earned his fifth victory of the season on Sunday, limiting the Braves to two runs on five hits over 7 2/3 innings. Strasburg racked up 11 strikeouts on the afternoon while issuing only one free pass. He carried a shutout bid into the eighth inning where Dansby Swanson’s two-out, two-run double delivered the only damage against him and forced Strasburg from the outing. He now sports a 3.28 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 59/17 K/BB ratio through 60 1/3 innings on the season.
Bet Today’s Padres vs. Nationals Game
OUR PREDICTION: The Padres are just 5-11 in Richard’s last 16 road starts, are 6-20 in his last 26 outings versus National League East opponents, and are 0-4 in his last four starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance. The Nationals, meanwhile, are 39-13 in Strasburg’s last 52 starts, are 36-16 in his last 52 home outings, and are 11-2 in his last 13 starts after allowing two runs or less in their previous game.
SATURDAY MLB PREDICTION: WASHINGTON NATIONALS -1.5 (-115)