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 Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals is scheduled for Thursday, October 13, 2016, at 5:05 p.m. ET at Nationals Park. The contest will be televised nationally on FS1.
We have a Game 5 in the division series and it’ll take place in the Nation’s capital with the Nationals hosting the Dodgers in the winner take all matchup.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
This has really been a good series and Game 4 encapsulates that. The Nationals got out to the lead in the first, then fell behind by three going into the seventh, tied it up and finally gave it up in the eighth.
The momentum of this series, like that game, has gone back and forth. With the late game win in Game 4, it now lies with the Dodgers, but many believe you’re only as good as your next day starting pitcher. If that’s the case, the Dodgers’ burned their ace and the Nationals have theirs on the mound on Thursday.
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Dave Roberts opted to go with his ace on short rest in Game 4 so Clayton Kershaw will be on the sidelines for this game while the Nationals throw Max Scherzer.
Kershaw didn’t pitch particularly well in either of his NLDS starts, but the Dodgers were able to rally and get the win in both. Now they’ll need to win a game started by someone else.
The Dodgers already showed the willingness to go to Kershaw on short rest. Will they do the same with Rich Hill? Should they? Or is it better to give the youngster Julio Urias the start?
Hill should have the inside track at the job. After all, if Roberts intended to throw Urias it would make more sense to have thrown him in Game 4 at home than Game 5 on the road and save Kershaw to go on regular rest.
Hill made his second postseason start in Game 2, lasting just 4.1 innings, allowing four runs on six hits, including a home run. He also walked two. He did strikeout seven in the outing, partially leading to his early exit, but it was a struggle for Hill in his first postseason start since toeing the rubber in the NLDS for the Cubs in 2007.
The big curve needs to be on for Hill. He’s been very good all year—at least when he’s been on the field. He combined to go 12-5 in 20 starts between the Dodgers and Athletics, pitching to a 2.12 ERA and 0.997 WHIP. After coming to the Dodgers he had six regular season starts, including a seven inning perfect outing. Overall, his L.A. ERA was 1.83 and his WHIP was 0.786. The opposition just could not square him up.
Hill, however, is not accustom to pitching on short rest and, in fact, had plenty of injury issues this year so this is quite the gamble for the Dodgers. Urias though would be a gamble, too. The southpaw has top of the rotation stuff, but he’s just 20-years old and isn’t likely to go deep in the game.
While there’s questions around both Dodger options, there’s more certainty for the Nationals. Scherzer is getting the ball after a 20-7 regular season with a 2.96 ERA and 0.968 WHIP.
The Cy Young contender is one of the best arms in the game and has the advantage over either Dodgers’ hurler.
Of course, the Dodgers did get to him in Game 1, scoring four in six innings thanks in large part to a pair of home runs. For the veteran right-hander that was the second shaky start in a row after allowing five runs in five innings to the Marlins in the final game of the regular season.
LIVE BETTING
Kenley Jansen gave it up in Game 3 and that could’ve been the end for the Dodgers. He’s the heart and soul of a bullpen that will need to play a key role in Game 5 regardless of who starts. Jansen, however, had a key bounce back outing in Game 4, pitching a scoreless, perfect ninth while striking out two.
On the other side, Mark Melancon getting the night off was important for the Nationals, too. He pitched in each of the first three games and back-to-back nights off—including the off-day on Wednesday should leave him well rested for the finale. Both teams will, more or less, be fully rested in the pen with the full arsenal ready and able to pitch.
In the loss, Daniel Murphy had another strong game, going 2-for-3 with four RBIs. He’s batting .462 in the series. Jayson Werth is also having a big series, hitting .467 through the first four.
After a slower start to the series, Trea Turner was a spark plug atop the order in Game 4, getting on base three times and scoring three runs.
On the other side, Justin Turner has been the tough out, hitting .455, but we say some of the rest of the offense awaken with Adrian Gonzalez slamming a home run and Chase Utley drive in the winning run in the eighth.
QUICK PICK
Take the Nationals at home to win and take the spread in their favor. The Dodgers have burnt their top gun and will have to go with a rookie or a guy just a year and a half removed from independent ball on short rest.
Scherzer was hittable in Game 1 and in his last start of the regular season, but he’s not a pitcher that stays down long. He’ll figure it out and give the Nationals six or seven strong innings, setting up the bullpen perfectly to slam the door shut.
Washington has gotten some offense through the series and has a few hitters swinging well and that doesn’t even include Bryce Harper who is always a threat.
MLB Odds: Nationals 6, Dodgers 3
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