If you love pitching duels, then you better get ready for one between Stephen Strasburg and Clayton Kershaw. Both are set to go on the mound tonight, when the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers open up a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. Will Strasburg guide the Nats to victory, or will Kershaw continue to remind everyone why he’s the best pitcher in baseball today?
To help you answer those questions, take a good look below at our preview of this National League showdown. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to check out our breakdown of the Orioles vs. Rangers game afterwards.
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Washington Nationals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Preview
Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
When: Wednesday, June 20, 2016, 10:10 PM ET
Line: Washington Nationals (+165) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (-185); total: 5.5 – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast(s): MASN, SNLA
Betting on the Washington Nationals (43-27)
Strasburg has arguably been Washington’s best pitcher thus far this season. He’s yet to suffer a loss and is fresh off his most impressive outing against the majors-leading Cubs last Wednesday. In that game, the 27-year-old righty registered seven innings of one-run ball and struck out a total of eight batters to lead the Nats to the thrilling 5-4 win.
Moreover, Strasburg’s pitched extremely well against the Dodgers throughout his career. He is 1-0 with a 1.71 ERA, a 0.19 WHIP and a .219 opponents’ batting average through four starts in the said matchup. It’ll be really interesting to see if the seven-year veteran can sustain this fine form.
Over on offense, all eyes will be on Daniel Murphy and Bryce Harper to get things going for Washington. Both have been delivering the goods at the plate lately.
Murphy, who leads the team in batting (.358) and hits (92), has gone 5-of-16 with two doubles, four runs batted in and one homer in his last four games. Harper, meanwhile, is 5-of-15 with one home run and four RBIs in the same stretch.
Washington, which is priced at -400 to win the NL East division, is 5-5 SU in its previous 10 games on the road.
Betting on the Los Angeles Dodgers (38-33)
All is well right now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have won five of their last six games and are winners of their previous three. That winning run is bound to continue with Clayton Kershaw (10-1, 1.58 ERA) set to take the hill this evening against the visiting Washington Nationals.
Dominant would be the best word to describe Kershaw’s season thus far. He leads the majors in strikeouts (133), and has only incurred one setback—against the Marlins on April 26, 2016. More importantly, the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner has given up just two runs or fewer in his past nine starts, which includes four shutout performances against the Padres, Mets, Reds and Braves.
Also, Kershaw’s usually at his best when playing at Dodger Stadium. He is 6-1 with a 1.31 ERA, a 0.55 WHIP and a .144 opponents’ batting average across seven home starts. Another brilliant outing from the left-handed veteran could be in the making later.
Of course, Kershaw’s going to need some support at the plate in order to assure the Dodgers, who are priced at +1,000 to win the National League pennant, a win. That being said, expect Corey Seager to answer the call.
Seager’s been doing everything for Los Angeles this season, leading them in batting (.280), homers (15), runs batted in (36), OBP (.351) and hits (77). The 22-year-old shortstop, however, has yet to face the Nats and their starter in Stephen Strasburg.
Los Angeles has won seven of its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Dodger (-185) win it, 4-1.
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