After splitting the first two games of this four-game series the Dodgers and Nationals head into Game 3 at Chavez Ravine Saturday night. Which way are we going here for our free MLB pick?
MLB Betting Odds
Saturday’s MLB betting odds opened LA and Buehler at around -140 over Washington and Scherzer, with an over/under of seven runs. Early betting action then dropped that line down to -120.
Nationals vs. Dodgers Set-Up
Washington grabbed the opener of this series Thursday night 6-0, but Los Angeles took Game 2 Friday 5-0. The Nationals cashed in as +135 underdogs Thursday, but the Dodgers won Friday as heavy -200 favorites.
Also, both games in this series played under their totals.
With Friday’s victory, LA is 11-4 over its last 15 games. At 26-15 overall the Dodgers lead the NL West by three games over second-place Arizona.
With Friday’s loss, the Nationals are 1-5 over their last six games. At 15-23 overall Washington sits in fourth place in the NL East, 6.5 games behind first-place Philadelphia.
This series is the first meeting between these teams this season. Last year Los Angeles took the season series from Washington five games to one.
Saturday’s Starting Arms
Buehler is only 2/7 on quality starts this season, but two for his last four. Monday he held Atlanta to three runs and five hits through seven innings of a 5-3 Dodgers victory. And over his last four starts, he’s allowed nine earned runs and 18 hits through 24 1/3 innings.
The Dodgers are 5-2 with Buehler this season.
This will be Buehler’s first-ever start against the Nationals, which could give him an edge, at least for the first couple of times through the lineup.
Scherzer is 5/8 on quality starts this season, running on a streak of three in a row. Monday he held Milwaukee to two runs – one earned – and six hits through six innings, with 10 strikeouts, although Washington lost that game 5-3. And over his last three starts, he’s allowed six ER and 18 hits through 20 innings, with 28 whiffs.
And yet, almost amazingly, Washington is just 1-7 with Scherzer this season.
In two starts last year against the Dodgers Scherzer allowed just three runs and nine hits through 13 innings, with 22 strikeouts. The Nationals only managed to split those two games.
Saturday’s Batting Splits
Washington is batting a meager .230/.306/.377 against right-handed pitching this season. This lineup has also been held to three runs or less in 12 of its last 15 games.
Los Angeles is batting .260/.347/.473 against RH pitching this season.
The Bullpens
The Nationals bullpen owns a 6.24 ERA this season and a 1.65 WHIP, both of which rank as the worst in the Majors.
The Dodgers bullpen owns a 4.43 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP.
Totals Report
- Overs are 20-17 in Nationals games this season.
- Overs are 21-19 in Dodgers games this season.
- Overs are a combined 8-5 with Buehler and Scherzer this season.
- Overs are 11-9 in games played at Dodger Stadium this season.
- Get more details: LA Dodgers at Washington Nationals MLB Match-up Stats
