The Washington Nationals will meet the Los Angeles Angels in the rubber match at Angels Stadium on Sunday afternoon. It's time to continue our MLB odds coverage with a Nationals-Angels prediction and pick.
The Nationals defeated the Angels 7-3 on Saturday. Washington scored early when Josh Bell whacked a 3-2 two-out pitch from Michael Lorenzen into the seats in deep center field for a home run. It was his fourth home run of 2022, giving the Nationals an early 1-0 lead. Then, Yadiel Hernandez smacked a 2-1 pitch to right field for a home run. It was his second homer in 2022 and gave the Nationals a 2-0 lead. The Angels entered the fourth trailing 4-0 when Jared Walsh cracked an 0-1 pitch to right field. It was his fifth home and made it a 4-1 Nationals lead. Then, Brandon Marsh plundered a 2-1 pitch into deep center for a two-run bomb. It was his fourth in 2022, and the score was now 4-3 Nationals.
The Nationals answered back in the fourth when Nelson Cruz slammed a two-run shot to left field to make it 6-3. Washington added one more to seal the game. The Nationals are 10-19 and last in the NL East, while the Angels are 18-11 and first in the AL West.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Nationals-Angels MLB odds:
MLB Odds: Nationals-Angels Odds
Nationals: +1.5 (-113)
Angels: -1.5 (-106)
Over: 9 (+100)
Under: 9 (-122)
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Why The Nationals Could Cover The Spread
Washington will go with Erick Fedde on the hill. Fedde is 2-2 with a 4.68 ERA over five starts. He allowed one earned run on six hits through seven innings in a 10-2 win over the Colorado Rockies last week.
It was the best start of the season for Fedde, as he has gone over five innings once in 2022. However, he has also allowed three home runs this season. It is something he needs to cut down on. Fedde will attempt to pick up a pitching staff that ranks 29th in team ERA. However, the Nationals staff pitched well last night. The bullpen tossed 3 2/3 innings of shutout baseball while allowing two scattered hits and walking one. Washington has the hitting to back themselves up.
Juan Soto went 1 for 5 last night and is hitting .260 with six home runs in 2022. Additionally, Bell went 2 for 5 while Hernandez went 1 for 5. Bell is hitting .351 in 202 with four home runs and 20 RBIs. The Nationals rank fourth in batting average, ninth in on-base percentage, and 1oth in runs. However, they are only 22nd in home runs, as most of their scoring has come through hits inside the ballpark.
The Nationals could cover the spread if Fedde can give them a good start, limiting the bullpen's need. Fedde must replicate his last start and go deep into this game. The key is not letting Shohei Ohtani or Mike Trout beat you. Additionally, the Nationals will cover if their bats can get to Patrick Sandoval early and rattle him.
Why The Angels Could Cover The Spread
The Angels will go with Sandoval, who has pitched well this season. He is 1-1 with a 1.29 ERA over four starts. Amazingly, he did not allow an earned run into his previous start, a loss to the Chicago White Sox. Sandoval allowed three earned runs with six hits over six innings. He has one significant problem, and that is high pitch counts. Sandoval tends to work longer innings because he cannot consistently locate the strike zone. However, he has lasted six innings in each of his previous two starts and will attempt to do it again. Sandoval has many bats to support him.
Ohtani, Trout, Marsh, and Walsh lead a great lineup that is near the top in nearly every offensive category. The Angels rank eighth in batting average, sixth in on-base percentage, and second in runs. In addition to that, the Halos are the best team in baseball in home runs. The goal today is to recover from last night's game. Trout and Ohtani each went 1 for 4 last night, but neither drove home a run. Both will attempt to rectify that today. The Angels typically win games when both players mash the ball, highlighting their importance to the Halos.
The Angels will cover the spread if Sandoval keeps his pitch count down and delivers a top-notch start. Additionally, he needs the bats to support him, as the Angels have logged 15 runs over his four starts.
Final Nationals-Angels Prediction & Pick
The Nationals are not a great team but stole one yesterday. Sandoval will be a tougher pitcher to oppose, and the Angels will be ready to mash the baseball. Expect the Angels to win this game to seal the series while covering the spread.
Final Nationals-Angels Prediction & Pick: Angels -1.5 (-106)
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