Nationals Trying to Stop DBacks Series Win Streak at 8 to Start Season
The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Washington Nationals will square off on Friday night at Nationals Park. The Diamondbacks look to record a ninth straight series victory to begin the season. The opener of a three-game set starts tonight.
The NL West leading
Diamondbacks (17-7) took two of three from Philadelphia to improve to 8-4 on the road heading this Season. They head into Washington (11-14), which is just 3-7 at home.
TV: 7:05 p.m. EST, MLB Network, FS Arizona, MASN (Washington)
Pitching Matchup: diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (3-1, 3.09 era) vs. nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (2-2, 2.97)
Oddsmakers opened the Nationals as -157-moneyline favorites versus the Diamondbacks, while the game’s total opened at 7.5. The Nationals are now a 145-moneyline favorite. The total is down to 7 Flat (-110).
Nationals Struggling for Consistency
Strasburg has been plagued by the home run ball this season. He was taken deep twice to destroy a 10-strikeout performance on Saturday. He lost 4-0 at the dodgers. The all-star has surrendered six homers in five outings, covering 33 1/3 innings.
The primadonna allowed only 13 during his entire 2017 season.
The 29-year-old boasts a 4-2 record versus the Diamondbacks while keeping the rest of their bats in check (.219).
Bryce Harper has gotten his fair share of licks in on Godley by going 3 for 8 against him. Harper is tied for the NL lead with eight homers. He is second with 10 doubles, and is tied for third with 19 RBIs. His production has led some opponents to pitch around when they can.
Bruce Bochy walked Harper with first base open and one out in the eighth inning of the Giants’ 4-3 victory. He preferred to put the potential go-ahead run on base rather than pitch to Harper. The Giants got a double play grounder from Ryan Zimmerman and held for the win.
Harper has 32 walks, eight more than anyone else, and is on pace for 207.
Arizona is Pumping on all Cylinders to Start the Season
Godley gave himself a heck of a birthday present last Friday. He picked up his third win in four outings by overcoming a two-run double from Franchy Cordero. The first inning blow was all he gave up. He went on to strike out eight over 5 1/3 innings versus San Diego.
The 28-year-old showed much better control by surrendering one walk. Godley issued six free passes in a disastrous performance at the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 15. The Right-Hander owns a 2-1 mark against the nationals while limiting them to a .225 batting average.
David Peralta has a homer while going 4-for-7 against Strasburg.
The Diamondbacks opened the season with the best run in the
National League in 41 years. They are relying on pitching, defense and pure know-how to overcome the loss of what was expected to be their Nos. 4-5 hitters.
The DBacks are the first NL team since the 1977 Dodgers to win their first eight series of a season.
Nationals MLB Betting Trends
Nationals MLB Betting Trends
Powered by ScoresAndStats.com
Next up:
Arizona at Washington Saturday, April 28
Get a 30% Bonus on EVERY Deposit at BetAnySports if you Mention Handicappers Hideaway!!!
Like this:
Like Loading...
