Jordan Zimmerman has quietly been one of the hottest pitchers in baseball over the course of the last couple weeks. He and the Washington Nationals (43-36 SU, -1.38 Units) will look to exorcize some of the demons of last season's playoff series against the San Francisco Giants (42-38 SU, -0.09 Units) on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The interesting split here to follow from a betting standpoint is between San Fran's moneyline earnings (0.09 units) and its run-line earnings +9.74 units. In actuality, the Giants are just one game better off for MLB's spread bettors. They have historically been an awesome run-line team, particularly on the road, so this could be a nice opportunity to take that always vital +1.5 price.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Zimmerman has the clear advantage here over Ryan Vogelsong.
Most realize that Zack Greinke is on a really hot streak of 20.2 scoreless innings, but Zimmerman is at 16.2 scoreless in a row, and he hasn't walked a batter in that stretch either.
Vogelsong more or less just is what he is. He's 6-6 with a 4.19 ERA, and is fortunate just to have a job in the bigs at this point. Vogelsong is a bona fide fifth starter, and going against a man who is going to command over $100 million next season on the open market, that's not a good sign for the Giants.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"It's important for him to be passionate about the way he plays, in every aspect. We talked about it today. Everybody's got comments, so he'll be out there again today. And guaranteed if he hits one in the gap, he'll go hard." – Nationals manager Matt Williams defusing a situation in which Bryce Harper didn't run out a pop fly he hit earlier this week
SITUATIONAL BETTING
Santiago Casilla has what is being classified as a "tired arm," which is never a good sign for any pitcher. The Giants' closer just allowed three runs without recording an out in a save situation against the Marlins, and we have to think that he is going to be shut down for the whole weekend as a result.
Up next could be Sergio Romo, who was the Giants' closer once upon a time during a World Series run.
PROP TALK
Buster Posey, who had such a great postseason last year for the Giants, is on fire once again. He is batting .448 in an eight-game hitting streak, one which was accentuated with a homer on Thursday in Miami. That's now three homers and 15 RBIs for Posey in his last eight headed into the weekend, and he is a man you just have to bet on with the way he’s seeing the ball.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
We're all about value, and the Giants are surely going to have some of it on Sunday. Many are going to be lining up to bet on Zimmerman while he's hot. We can't blame them, but it is going to drive the price on Washington far too high.
If we can get +130 on our side, we are surely going to be taking it. This could be a 50/50 game when push comes to shove.
San Francisco 4, Washington 3
The baseball betting odds for this Sunday game will first be available at BookMaker Sportsbook. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this televised baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The game between the San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals will start at 8:08 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 5, 2015 at Nationals Park in Washington D.C. You can watch the contest live on ESPN.
