The Nationals continue their road trip against division leaders on Thursday as they head to the Bay Area to take on the San Francisco Giants. Both teams have been on fire with their respective starters as the Nats send out Tanner Roark (9-6, 3.05 ERA) to face Johnny Cueto (13-2, 2.53 ERA).
The NL East-leading Nationals are 8-2 in their last 10 games with Tanner Roark on the mound but are coming off a loss in his last appearance where he was roughed up by the Padres. Roark is never going to blow anyone away with blistering stuff but he is normally good to eat up some innings and give his team a chance to win as he has gone seven innings or deeper in 12 of his 20 starts this season.
Johnny Cueto has shimmied and shaken his way to an incredible season so far that has thrust him into the NL Cy Young conversation. He has gone fewer than six innings only twice this year and has given up more than two runs six times.
The Nationals lineup has hit a paltry lifetime .192 off of Cueto and with Johnny pitching some of best career stuff this year, the Nats’ bats could be coming up empty.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had set the San Francisco Giants as -151 favorites on the moneyline for this contest. The over under was hovering near 7 for betting fans hoping to turn a profit on totals at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark prediction models pick the Giants to win this game 4.1-3.6. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
Washington Nationals vs San Francisco Giants Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
San Francisco (59-42) will face the 59-42 Nationals in this tilt. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and San Francisco vs Washington injuries news.
The MLB Power Rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the San Francisco Giants rated this week at No. 13 and the Washington Nationals sitting at No. 7.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up San Francisco Giants No. 14 ranked offense (4.57 runs per game) against a Washington Nationals defense and pitching staff that sits at No. 3 at 3.56 runs allowed per game. The San Francisco Giants have been averaging 8.92 hits per game, more than the Washington Nationals have managed so far this season (8.46 hits on average).
Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping betting factors and San Francisco has the No. 6-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Nationals own the No. 3 mark in runs allowed.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Washington got the job done in their last match in a 4-1 victory over Cleveland on Wednesday at Progressive Field behind starter S Strasburg.
San Francisco suffered a 2-1 loss against Cincinnati on Wednesday, as M Bumgarner wasn't able to lead his team to victory at AT&T Park.
Next Betting Matchups
Washington at San Francisco, Friday, July 29th