If your favorite baseball team isn't playing tonight, make the games more interesting by betting on MLB odds at BookMaker Sportsbook! This is the only online wagering outlet that offers early MLB moneylines, runlines and totals. First pitch for the game between the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers is scheduled for Monday, June 5, 2016, at 10:10 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium. The matchup will be televised nationally on ESPN.
The Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers kick off a competitive series between two postseason hopefuls on Monday night. This game pins the NL’s best offense against the best pitching staff in a showdown to determine if good pitching really does beat good hitting.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
The Nationals still rank first in the NL in runs scored, plating 286, ten more than the second-place Rockies who have the Coors Field advantage.
Washington, however, recently lost the top spot in all of baseball with the Astros’ stacked lineup overtaking the honors, albeit in a couple more games played.
At .814, the Nats still have the best OPS, but Houston has out-homered Washington.
The Dodgers have been trying to piece a respectable offense together. Dave Roberts ability to pull the right strings has been impressive as the Dodgers have scored the fourth most runs in baseball. Few teams can claim a better offense based on the numbers. Washington is one of those teams.
The expectation is that Trea Turner will heat up at some point and while Michael Taylor isn’t Adam Eaton, injuries haven’t created as many holes in the Washington lineup as they have in L.A.’s based on personnel.
Better yet, Bryce Harper will be back from his three-game suspension this weekend and, barring injury, will be a full go for Monday night’s game.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
Neither team has officially announced their starter for this game, but Gio Gonzalez would be in line for the start for the Nationals.
Gonzalez is 4-1 with a 3.03 ERA. He’s produce this year despite an elevated walk rate and subsequently high WHIP at 1.405. All indications show his out pitching his peripherals and is due to fall back to earth, but he’s been very good at stranding runners and limiting damage.
Gonzo will see his ERA rise over the year, but he should have success against a Dodgers’ team that, while better against left-handed pitchers, still has its issues facing southpaws.
The lefty’s last start was a quality one, his first such outing in his last three games.
For his career, he’s 3-1 with a 1.69 career ERA in five starts against the Dodgers. He’s allowed five runs in 20 career innings at Dodger Stadium.
It would be Alex Wood’s turn to pitch for the Dodgers, but he’s on the DL and has been slow to come along. The way Wood has been throwing the Nationals catch a break.
Hyun-Jin Ryu took Wood’s spot last time through the order and the 30-year old southpaw delivered. After allowing one runs over six innings against the Cardinals on Wednesday and going four scoreless innings against the same team in relief six days prior, it would seem Ryu has earned another start.
Over his last six appearances, Ryu has been throwing the ball well. He’s allowed more than two runs in an outing just once in that span and more than a single run in two of those six games.
This will be Ryu’s first start against Washington has injury have prevented any others.
LIVE BETTING
The Dodgers lead baseball with a 3.20 ERA. A rotation with Clayton Kershaw is bound to have a good ERA. Alex Wood has helped lower the team ERA as well, but the bullpen has played an important role, too.
The pen’s ERA for the Dodgers’ is even better at 2.67, best in the NL and behind only the Indians in baseball.
The National’s bullpen continues to be the exact opposite.
Washington cannot count on a lead at any point. They need bullpen help. They’re too good offensively and too good in the rotation to allow the pen to lose games, but they’re in position to let that very thing happen.
If the game is close late, the Dodgers have the advantage given their strong home record and superior relivers.
QUICK PICK
The Dodgers are the best home team in baseball at 21-8, tied with the Rockies. Los Angeles also has a pitcher starting this game that has been pitching very well along with the better bullpen.
Yes, the Nationals have outscored the Dodgers this year, but Los Angeles is only a few runs behind overall. If you look at a small sample size of the most recent data and examine just the month of May, the Dodgers’ offense is trending upward and the Nationals are going in the wrong direction.
Washington still has a dangerous heart of the order and they’re facing fewer injuries than the Dodgers, but Los Angeles has found a way to outscore this team recently, too.
All signs point to the Dodgers getting the win even against a left-handed pitcher. A southpaw isn’t an automatic loss for this team anymore.
MLB Odds: Dodgers 7, Nationals 6
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