PREMIUM
Name Rogers' *10* TOTAL DOMINATION (Top Play Tuesday!) >> Only $20!
(MLB) Washington vs. Miami,
Total: 8.00 | -120.00 Over
Result: Loss
Total: 8.00 | -120.00 Over
Result: Loss
The set-up: Gio Gonzalez took a no-hitter into the ninth inning of Washington's 1-0 victory in Monday's series opener in Miami against the Marlins.There was also more great news on Monday for Washington's beleaguered bullpen, as the Nats made a trade with Minnesota for All-Star closer Brandon Kintzler, who will join recent acquisitions Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle. Could Washington suddenly have a formidable bullpen to go along with its excellent starting pitching and powerful lineup? The NL East-leading Nationals now hold a 14-game edge over second-place Miami, which has dropped two in a row following a four-game winning streak. It's highly unlikely the Nats can catch the Dodgers, so a five-game NLDS matchup with the Cubs seems to be looming.
The pitching matchup: Max Scherzer (12-5 & 2.23 ERA) takes the mound for Washington and Chris O'Grady (2-1 & 3.68 ERA) for Miami. Scherzer is 4-0 in six starts (Nats are 5-1) since a 2-1 setback at Miami back on June 21, a hard-luck loss in which he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, struck out 11 and gave up two unearned runs. Scherzer is 6-3 with a 3.50 ERA in 11 career starts versus Miami (teams are 8-3). O'Grady is a rookie making his fifth career start. He is coming off the finest performance of his brief major-league tenure, blanking Cincinnati on five hits over seven innings in his fourth career start (team is 3-1). This marks his first appearance against the Nats.
The pick: Scherzer will have a tough act to follow after Gonzalez's near a no-hitter but he enters the start as the National League leader in strikeouts (201), batting average allowed (.170), innings pitched (145 1/3) and OPS against (.548). He also can now pitch with added confidence due to the team's greatly improved bullpen (Kintzler is expected to arrive at Marlins Park in time for this game). Also note that Scherzer owns a 2.11 ERA in six career starts at Marlins Park. O'Grady may be making just his fifth career start but I sure like what I've seen so far from the 27-year-old. Make the Under a 10* play.
The pitching matchup: Max Scherzer (12-5 & 2.23 ERA) takes the mound for Washington and Chris O'Grady (2-1 & 3.68 ERA) for Miami. Scherzer is 4-0 in six starts (Nats are 5-1) since a 2-1 setback at Miami back on June 21, a hard-luck loss in which he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, struck out 11 and gave up two unearned runs. Scherzer is 6-3 with a 3.50 ERA in 11 career starts versus Miami (teams are 8-3). O'Grady is a rookie making his fifth career start. He is coming off the finest performance of his brief major-league tenure, blanking Cincinnati on five hits over seven innings in his fourth career start (team is 3-1). This marks his first appearance against the Nats.
The pick: Scherzer will have a tough act to follow after Gonzalez's near a no-hitter but he enters the start as the National League leader in strikeouts (201), batting average allowed (.170), innings pitched (145 1/3) and OPS against (.548). He also can now pitch with added confidence due to the team's greatly improved bullpen (Kintzler is expected to arrive at Marlins Park in time for this game). Also note that Scherzer owns a 2.11 ERA in six career starts at Marlins Park. O'Grady may be making just his fifth career start but I sure like what I've seen so far from the 27-year-old. Make the Under a 10* play.
