The Washington Nationals will host the San Francisco Giants for the first of a four-game set. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Giants-Nationals prediction and pick.
San Francisco is surging with wins in seven of their last 10 games heading into this weekend series. Washington is coming off of a split series with the Rays and will look to build some momentum over the weekend. Washington has owned this series with wins in the past five head-to-head matchup's.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Giants-Nationals odds.
MLB Odds: Giants-Nationals Odds
San Francisco Giants +1.5 (-145)
Washington Nationals -1.5 (+125)
Over 7.5 Runs (-105)
Under 7.5 Runs (-115)
Why The Giants Could Cover The Spread
The San Francisco Giants have been one of the most surprising and exciting stories in baseball this season. The Giants are 38-23 and currently in first place in the loaded National League West division. They are 41-20 against the spread this season, which is an incredible feat in the sport of baseball.
The Giants have been scorching hot lately with wins in eight of their last 11 games to date. They are 11-2 in their last 13 road games coming in as well. San Francisco has played so well on both sides of the field as they average the ninth-most runs and fourth-fewest runs allowed per game in the Majors. The Giants have been one of the best long-ball hitting clubs in baseball.
The Giants will turn to right-hander Anthony DeSclafani for the series opener. DeSclafani will pitch on extra rest after tossing six innings of two-run ball in his last start against the Cubs. The Giants right-hander is 2-1 with a 3.55 ERA in eight career appearances against this Nationals lineup. He is currently 5-2 with a 3.51 ERA through 12 starts this season.
Why The Nationals Could Cover The Spread
Not many expected the Washington Nationals to sit in last place in the National League East at any point this season. They have been sitting toward the bottom of the division and have been in a rut all season long. Washington is 4-9 in their last 13 games and desperately needs to find a way to start stringing together some wins.
The Nationals lineup has been a disaster this season as they average just 3.88 runs per game, which is 25th in the Majors. They do average the sixth-most hits per game, but just can't ever get the job done with runners on. They are 18-25 in games against right-handed starting pitchers, which isn't promising heading into this matchup. Washington has won five straight games against the Giants and hopefully this will be the series where things start to click for the Nats.
Washington will turn to right-hander Max Scherzer for the series opener. The Nationals ace has been dominant again this season with a 5-4 record, 2.22 ERA, and 104 strikeouts. Scherzer was brilliant in his last start against the Phillies, allowing just one run through 7.2 innings of work. The hard throwing right-hander has been great over his last three starts. He has allowed just five earned runs over 20.2 innings during the recent stretch.
Final Giants-Nationals Prediction & Pick
Although I'm confident that we'll get a good start from Max Scherzer, I'm not confident enough to say that the Nationals will be two runs better than the Giants in the opener. San Francisco should no longer be doubted. This team is for real and has one of the best lineups in baseball. Mad Max has been susceptible to the long ball and no one hits the long ball better than the Giants. I could certainly see this being a lower scoring affair, which I believe favors the Giants and their advantage in the bullpen.
FINAL PICK: San Francisco Giants +1.5 (-145)
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