The Rangers and Nats split the first two games of their Washington interleague series, but I like the Rangers chances in the tie breaker on Sunday. Rangers' right hander Dunning (8-1, 2.69 ERA) has been sharp and consistent since day one. He gave up just five runs in June. In his last three starts he has averaged seven innings pitched with a 2.08 ERA. He will face aging and long suffering lefty Patrick Corbin (5-10, 6.88 ERA). He is a workhorse for innings and can have an occasional quality start. Corbin shut out the Mariners over five innings, but sandwiched that start with a pair of very rough innings. The rough starts are unfortunately more of the norm; he was hit at a .322 clip in June.
The Rangers are slumping, but hitting has not been the cause. They are 2nd in the league in OPS/L15 games and love hitting lefties (298 BA, .847 OPS) this season. The Nationals are averaging just 3.3 runs scored while giving up 7.9 over their last seven games. The Rangers pen is no great shakes, but the Nats' is even worse. Dunning and the Rangers are a very large favorite, but a very respectable bet on the run line. Take the Rangers to walk away with this one.