The Washington Nationals are starting to get healthy for the stretch run, but a West Coast swing starting on Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers could end up being a problem for them now that they’ve fallen into second place in the NL East.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Washington's 55-51 record is all of a sudden looking mortal after losing five out of six heading into a weekend series with the Rockies. The Nats are down 5.29 units this year, much of which was lost in this last little stretch.
The Dodgers have won five of six, and are up to 61-46 overall. They're still down 8.20 units, but when you take Clayton Kershaw's losses out of the equation, they're right around a breakeven team.
PITCHING MATCHUP
If the Nats stay on schedule, they'll be using Gio Gonzalez for this game on Monday. However, there's a chance that Stephen Strasburg slots back into the rotation on Saturday to end his DL stint, which would push everyone back a day and let Max Scherzer pitch in this one.
Obviously, there's a big difference between LA having to deal with Gonzalez and his 3.75 ERA and Scherzer and his 11 wins and 2.31 ERA, but either way, the Nats are in really good shape in this game.
Now that Brett Anderson is asked to be a fifth starter instead of a third starter, the Dodgers are in really good shape. He'll get the ball on Monday hoping to better his 3.06 ERA.
Anderson has gone nine starts in a row without allowing more than three earned runs, and he’s thrown at least seven frames in five of those nine games.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"It's a matter of time, really. We're a great second-half team. We've had half our team hurt all year. That's the reality of it. When we all get back, we're right there, in first place. We're a game out now. But I think going forward, we can all get back healthy and get rolling, and it's our division to lose." – Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth on the team starting to get guys like himself and Strasburg off of the DL in time for the stretch run
SITUATIONAL BETTING
Many were worried about the Nats and their clubhouse culture when they brought in Jonathan Papelbon to start closing games, demoting Drew Storen. All Storen has done since the trade is go 12 up, 12 down, and thrown a total of three balls to those 12 batters.
Papelbon actually hasn't looked great, allowing two runs and three hits in three innings, but has gotten the job done and is 2-for-2 in save chances with Washington.
PROP TALK
Is it finally time for Yasiel Puig to start hitting the ball? The Cuban is only batting .252 and has gone yard only eight times this year, but he has two of those home runs in the last week. If there's going to be a good time to back Puig in prop betting, this would be said time.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Obviously, the pitching matchup is going to play a big role in this game, but either way, we like the Dodgers. The Nationals aren't playing well at the moment, and whether it's Scherzer or Gonzalez on the bump, there is still this perceived lack of respect for Anderson for betting purposes.
Yes, Anderson has been very lucky this season, but if he can keep going seven frames and allowing three runs, the Dodgers are going to win a lot of games, including this one.
Los Angeles 4, Washington 3
The baseball betting odds for this Monday 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!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don't have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone or tablet. Don't miss out on getting paid because you couldn't bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The duel between the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers will take place Monday, August 10, 2015 at 10:10 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA.
