The Washington Nationals have been unable to gain any traction over the last month and its cost them control of the NL East. They send ace Max Scherzer to the hill in Sunday’s series finale against the Rockies. Under bettors take note, the Nationals have played below the scoreline in seven of eight Scherzer starts during the day.
ODDS ANALYSIS
It’s been a rough go for the Rockies following the trade of their shortstop and leader Troy Tulowitzki. Colorado snapped a three-game losing streak and avoided a sweep at the hands of Seattle with Wednesday’s win, just their second in eight games since the deadline deal that sent their All-Star to Toronto. And the Rockies didn’t have time to unpack their bags before heading to DC. Colorado completed a 2-5 road trip before hosting the M’s for three games. Following this series the Rockies visit the Mets for four games to complete a stretch of 14 of 17 on the road. And that’s not good for a team that enters the weekend with a 20-32 road record, down 5.35 units. Though they split a four-game series with Arizona, the Nationals produced some offense, something they were unable to do when getting swept by the Mets last weekend. The Nats scored 21 runs against the Dbacks and cashed the over in all four games.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Eddie Butler (3-8, 5.45 ERA) was not good in his last outing allowing seven runs in four innings in a loss to the Mariners on Monday. Butler looked like he was throwing batting practice to the M’s, who lashed seven hits, including three home runs. The good news is that he gets out of Coors Field, where he surrendered 16 runs over 15.1 innings of his last three starts. He has a respectable 4.08 ERA in eight road starts going 2-4.
He’ll face the Nationals for the first time.
Max Scherzer (11-9, 2.31 ERA) gave up three runs in six innings taking a no-decision in Tuesday’s win over Arizona. Known for attacking the strike zone, Scherzer has walked three batters in each of his last two starts – the first time he’s done that this season. He fanned nine, his most in the last six starts, raising his total to 181 in 156 innings. Despite an impressive 2.86 ERA and 0.88 WHIP, Scherzer is just 4-5 in 10 home starts.
Scherzer has started five games against the Rockies in his career but hasn’t faced them since tossing eight shutout innings on June 17, 2012.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“I tell these young guys, ‘This is your chance, your opportunity to make adjustments and let people know you are ready to be at this level.’ There is no next level. This is the level you reach, and you have to work hard to stay here.” – Rockies’ outfielder Carlos Gonzalez
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
If the Nationals are going to win the NL East title, they’ll need shortstop Ian Desmond and catcher Wilson Ramos to get hot with the bats. Both players have been struggling at the plate recently, providing an explanation for why the Nats had a run where they lost 12 of 19 games and fell behind the Mets in the division race. But Thursday was a step in the right direction for both players. After being benched on Wednesday, Desmond, who was mired in a 5 for 35 slump, went 2 for 4 with his 12th home run of the season. Ramos, who was also in a tailspin and didn’t play Wednesday, went 2 for 5 and drove in two runs as the Nats enjoyed a rare outburst in their 8-3 win. “We can help the team a lot. We just try and do the best we can. Hopefully we can stay hot,” Ramos said after the win.
PROP TALK
The frontrunner for the NL MVP, Bryce Harper is up to his old tricks again. Harper reached base in all five plate appearances Thursday with two singles and three walks, extending his hitting streak to six games in the process. He leads the NL with 29 home runs but enters the weekend homerless in eight games. There is a good chance that can change facing the Rockies, who lead the NL with 123 homers allowed. Eddie Butler has surrendered five in his last two starts and 12 in 69.1 innings this season.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
It’s hard to go against Max Scherzer in this game. Sure the Rockies have the NL’s highest batting average, but that number is bolstered by playing in hitter-friendly Coors Field. Colorado is actually near the bottom of the rankings when playing on the road, hitting just .242 as a team, slightly better than the Mets and Reds, and 61 points lower than what they hit at home. Going against the best pitcher in the NL not named Clayton Kershaw, the Rockies will struggle.
Washington 6, Colorado 2
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Colorado Rockies and Washington Nationals is scheduled for Sunday, August 9, 2015, at 1:35 p.m. ET at Nationals Park.
