Cincinnati Reds vs. Washington Nationals Preview
Where: Nationals Park — Washington, District of Columbia
When: Friday, June 23, 2017 – 7:05 PM ET
Line: Cincinnati Reds (+220) at Washington Nationals (-260) – total: 9.0 – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: FS-O / MASN
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Betting on the Cincinnati Reds (30-41)
The name “Reds” fit right in, since the team just keeps on bleeding. After surprisingly sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals two weeks back, they went on to drop 11 of their next 12 games.
Problems have come from both areas of the field during this ugly stretch. Along with a mediocre batting average of .242, which resulted in them scoring two or less runs five times, the pitching was also a mess, and could only compile a woeful 6.70 ERA.
That ERA could be maintained – possibly worsened – as they will be bringing in a rookie for the starting pitcher duties. Luis Castillo, a 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic, will literally be in his first game in the majors tomorrow. He is known to garner strikeouts – 81 Ks in 80.1 innings (2.58 ERA) – but he is obviously a big question mark coming in.
Joey Votto and Adam Duvall, two of the consistent guys in the team’s offensive production, will have their hands full trying to counter the inevitable onslaught of the Nationals.
Betting on the Washington Nationals (43-29)
Though losers in three of their last four, the Nationals should be having minimal concerns entering Friday’s contest. They are, in many ways, head and shoulders above the Reds.
Considering the bad stretch Cincy is in, both offensively and defensively, and all the overwhelming firepower Washington has in its arsenal, it’s easy to see who will come out on top, particularly in tomorrow’s series-opener.
Daniel Murphy and Anthony Rendon are both hitting above .400 in the past week, while also powering together for 18 hits, three homers, 10 runs, and 12 RBIs. The other three elite bombers of the team – Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Ryan Zimmerman – though rather quiet recently, can be expected to come alive again against the Reds’ seemingly harmless defense.
If that isn’t enough, it’s Stephen Strasburg that will be starting on the mound for the Nats. The decorated star is 8-2 with a 3.82 ERA in 14 starts this season, and Cincy’s current roster is only 7-for-46 (.152) against him all-time.
Writer’s Prediction
The Nats (-260) should take it with no problems, 9-3.
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