The Washington Nationals’ magic number to clinch the National League East has been sitting at six for the last few days, but they’ll have an opportunity to make it five against the Miami Marlins tonight.
A.J. Cole and Wei-Yin Chen are the probable starters. Cole (1-2, 4.71 ERA) is making his first appearance against Miami and is 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA in two road starts. The rookie has yielded six home runs in his first four starts this season.
Chen (5-4, 4.99) last saw Washington on April 20 and took the loss, allowing three runs and striking out seven in seven innings. Chen missed almost two months with an elbow strain but went through simulated games as part of a rehab program and will make his return in this contest.
Miami loves going UNDER the total at home. In the Marlins' last five home games, the UNDER is a perfect 5-0.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The visiting Washington Nationals were -127 moneyline favorites in this one earlier in the day at most online sportsbooks including Sportsbook. The total was 8.5 at Sportsbook for those preferring over under betting.
Prediction-scoring formulas run on this game pick a potential 5.3-4.4 result in favor of the Nationals. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
Washington Nationals vs Miami Marlins Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Miami Marlins bring a 74-75 record to the battle against the 88-61 Nationals. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Miami vs Washington injuries news.
The Miami Marlins sit at No. 30 in the current MLB power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Washington Nationals sit at No. 10 on the same chart.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Miami Marlins No. 27-rated offense, averaging 4.1 runs per game, against a Washington Nationals defense that ranks No. 2 at 3.71 in runs allowed per game. The Miami Marlins have averaged 9.21 hits per game so far, more than Washington Nationals batters have averaged on the year (8.68 hits per game).
Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping betting factors and Miami has the No. 6-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Nationals own the No. 2 mark in runs allowed.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Nationals endured a 6-2 loss at the hands of the Braves on Sunday, with Joe Ross throwing 3 innings of 6-hit ball at Turner Field.
Miami got the job done in their last match in a 5-4 victory over Philadelphia on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park behind starter A Cashner.
Next Betting Matchups
Washington at Miami, Tuesday, September 20th