This week, ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball will feature two teams trying to rebound off tough starts as the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers close out an important three-game series in La La Land. Both teams have had to deal with their share of adversity early, but both have started playing better baseball. With Alex Wood and Jeremy Hellickson on the bump, which team will close out the series with a win in prime time on national television.
First pitch for the game between the Nationals and Dodgers is scheduled for Sunday, April 22, 2018, at 8:08 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium. The matchup will be shown on ESPN.
You can bet on MLB odds at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
Odds Analysis
The Nationals dropped nine of 12 before winning two of three against the Mets this past week. Washington will try to carry that momentum into the weekend series against the Dodgers, including Sunday night’s showdown.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, have won four in a row going into the series, including a series sweep over the Padres.
For both the Nationals and Dodgers to continue rolling, they’ll need their bullpens to pick things up.
So far on the young season, the Nationals have struggled getting the ball to their closer, Sean Dolittle. Dolittle himself hasn’t been lights out. He’s already got a loss on the year and given up two homers in nine innings, but has fared better than the rest of the pen.
Ryan Madson has allowed 16 hits in 10.1 innings, Brandon Kintzler has walked six in nine innings, and A.J. Cole has allowed six homers in 10.1—though most of his struggles game in the rotation.
For the Dodgers, the biggest concerns in the pen start with the closer: Kenley Jansen.
The flame thrower hasn’t been smoking it by people here early. His velocity is down and he’s had trouble with his command, a terrible combination.
Jansen has been nearly unhittable for years, but has already blown a couple saves, allowed three homers in 6.2 innings. The set up options—the questions coming into the year—have done well so far with Ross Stripling, Josh Fields and Pedro Baez all throwing well, but the ninth inning has been an adventure.
Probable Pitchers
Last year, Alex Wood didn’t lose his first game until July and was 14-1 going into September. Ending the year with just three losses, Wood is just one loss shy in 2018 from his total in 2017.
Wood is 0-2 through four games, but has pitched well enough to win in three of his four starts. His season opener, he tossed eight scoreless frames against the Giants, allowing just one hit and followed it up with a quality start against Arizona.
While his third start of the year was deserving of a loss, allowing seven runs in 3.2 innings, he bounced back his last time out with a single unearned run allowed in 5.1 innings against the Padres.
Unfortunately for Wood, he just hasn’t gotten the run support—or bullpen support to win. Overall, however, he’s throwing the ball well. He’s walked just one and allowed one longball in his four games, spanning 23 innings.
In his career against the Nationals, Wood is 4-3 with a 2.51 ERA in 10 starts, averaging a little more than six runs a game and striking out 69.
On the other side, the numbers are a bit less impressive for Jeremey Hellickson.
The former Ray, Diamondback, Phillie and Oriole was brought to the Nation’s Capital on a minor league deal after combined 5.43 ERA in 30 starts last year.
Hellickson made his season debut less than a week ago, going 4.2 innings against the Mets. He allowed two runs on seven hits in that game.
He’s certainly the weakest link in the Washington rotation and has really struggled in his four previous starts against the Dodgers with a 13 runs allowed in 17 total innings.
Live Betting
Pitching wins championships, but offense can surely win a game or two. Unfortunately for the Nationals and Dodgers, neither team has seen its offense click on all cylinders, yet. Both teams are missing key pieces.
For Los Angeles, the key loss is Justin Turner. The spunky third baseman is the glue to this offense. Without him, the top of the order has started slow. Chris Taylor seems to have turned back into a pumpkin after a Cinderella season last year while Corey Seager cannot buy a hit despite stinging the ball hard.
Even with the top of the order not getting the hits, the Dodgers are still in the top third of the league in runs scored with 84, one fewer than the Nationals despite playing two fewer games. Washington’s OBP and slugging are both better, but the Dodgers are making better contact and boast a higher average at this young stage of the season.
For the Nationals, keep an eye on Bryce Harper. The 25-year old is already having a huge free agent season. He’s batting .288 with a .471 OBP and 1.183 OPS. He’s hit eight homers and driven in 18. He’s leading the league in both categories as well as walks and runs scored.
MLB Pick
The pitching matchup favors the Dodgers as does the stadium, but Los Angeles isn’t playing great baseball and while the Nationals have had a rocky start, they may be turning the corner after a series win over the Mets.
Look for the Nationals’ bats to get enough against Wood and the bullpen, particularly with Jansen lost in the ninth inning. Bryce Harper is having an MVP start to the season and there’s enough other bats around him to put a few runs on the board and ride to the win.
Don’t expect a great outing from Hellickson, but he’s a proven Major League pitcher and can do enough to get the ball to the Washington bullpen.
MLB Odds: Nationals 6, Dodgers 4
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