Two of the top arms in the game and challengers for the NL Cy Young award go head-to-head when Zack Greinke and the Dodgers conclude a three-game set with the Nationals and their ace Max Scherzer.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Dodgers could have a larger lead in the NL West if not for their pitiful 18-22 first half road record. However, the odds of getting a win away from Dodger Stadium increase with Zack Greinke throwing. Take LA’s record in his starts out of the equation and the Dodgers are 13-20 in away games, yikes. Greinke has been masterful all season and is working on a 35.2 scoreless inning streak. Not surprisingly the under is 3-0 in his last three road starts and 6-1 in his last seven overall.
Max Scherzer has been worth every penny of his free agent contract he signed in the offseason and is a major reason why the Nats are in first place entering the second half of the season. Washington cashed the under in each of his last three outings and the under is 9-2 in his last 11 starts. The Nats scored a total of seven runs in Scherzer’s seven losses this season.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Zack Greinke (8-2, 1.39 ERA), the National League’s All-Star starter, enters with a 35.2 inning scoreless streak after a dominant eight innings against the Phillies on July 9 when he gave up just one hit and struck out eight. He was lifted for a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, depriving him the chance for his first shutout since 2013 despite throwing just 94 pitches. Greinke compiled the lowest ERA of any starter at the All-Star break since 1968.
Greinke owns a lower ERA (1.28) in seven road starts and he is 3-1 with a 2.22 ERA in five career starts against the Nats.
Max Scherzer (10-7, 2.11 ERA) starts the second half after a dominant outing in a win at Baltimore last Sunday. Two solo homers off the bat of Adam Jones were the only mistakes Scherzer made as he went 8.2 innings with seven strikeouts to get the win. He’s had pinpoint control all season, issuing only 14 free passes in 132 innings and hasn’t walked a batter in his last five starts while fanning 37 over 38.2 innings. His 2.11 ERA and 0.78 WHIP would indicate better than a 10-7 record.
Scherzer is 2-3 with a 3.51 ERA in nine career appearances against the Dodgers but will start against them as a member of the Nationals for the first time.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“Things are just working and I’m trying to stay in the rhythm, I guess. There hasn’t been any bad luck and when that happens, it makes things easier.” – Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke on his scoreless innings streak that reached 35.2 innings
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
Washington manager Matt Williams said the first half of the 2015 season was challenging primarily because he had a tough time putting a lineup together with so many injuries hampering the team. Bryce Harper did it all during the first half and remained healthy, for the most part. Not only did he carry the team offensively, he was an above average defender. Opponents didn’t dare run on him. But Harper can’t be expected to carry the team during the second half. He’s been walked intentionally eight times already and if no one steps up in the order, most teams would rather issue him a free pass. And Harper has been walked a career-high 63 times this year, the second most in the NL.
PROP TALK
We’re not expecting a lot of offense in this game and it likely won’t be a battle of bullpens until the later stages with a pair of starters who crave pitching late into games. One player to keep an eye on to supply some fireworks is Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier, who’s quietly put together a nice season raising his average to .281 at the break by hitting .438 in 16 at-bats in July. Ethier didn’t play Sunday before the All-Star break to rest a minor leg injury and should be ready for the Nats. Ethier has a .286 career average against Scherzer with a homer and three RBIs in 21 at-bats and could be the difference in a tight game.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
If you like pitching you better tune into this game. Two of the best go after each other with Greinke and Scherzer throwing so don’t expect many runs. With the Nationals missing a few bullets in the chamber, their offense will be stretched to score runs and it would be wise for Greinke to work around Bryce Harper. Greinke’s shutout streak will end, it’s now the fourth longest in Dodgers’ history and that’s saying something with the guys they’ve had. But he can get through another scoreless game against a short-handed lineup.
Los Angeles 3, Washington 1
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2015, at 1:35 p.m. ET at Nationals Park. The contest will be broadcast nationally on TBS.
