The heavyweight battle between the Giants and Nationals caps off Sunday afternoon in San Francisco with the NL West division leaders trying to salvage a series split against the NL East Leaders. The Giants will charge the lowly Matt Cain (2-6, 5.95 ERA) with the unenvious task of shutting down the Nats who will counter with the almost as lowly Gio Gonzalez (6-8, 4.44 ERA).
Gonzalez has been on a steady decline the past couple years but has pitched OKAY in his two starts the All-Star break. In those two starts, Gio has posted a 2.19 ERA and limited batters to a .189 average.
Not many ways to positively spin Cain’s season thus far. He is straight up garbage and has given up 12 combined runs in his last three starts in which he pitched a total of only 11.1 innings. That’s good for a 10.57 ERA since the All-Star break – higher is better, right?
I think the total of eight today is pretty conservative and I’m hammering the OVER in a game with two starters who have no business hurling Major League games anymore.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The visiting Washington Nationals were -121 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 4.7-3.9 result in favor of the Giants. 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
The San Francisco Giants sport a record of 60-44 heading into this matchup, while the Washington Nationals sit at 61-43 on the season 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. 18 and the Washington Nationals sitting at No. 6.
Statistical Matchup
On offense, it's a battle between the San Francisco Giants and its No. 15-rated batting order, averaging 4.52 runs per nine innings, against the No. 11 line up of the Washington Nationals at 4.63 runs per outing.
Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping betting factors and San Francisco has the No. 5-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Nationals own the No. 2 mark in runs allowed.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Nationals endured a 5-3 loss at the hands of the Giants on Saturday, with Reynaldo Lopez throwing 4 innings of 4-hit ball at AT&T Park.
Next Betting Matchups
Washington at Arizona, Monday, August 1st
San Francisco at Philadelphia, Tuesday, August 2nd