Itβs a big day in Washington, with both the Nationals and Capitals in action. We breakdown the MLB portion from a sports betting perspective and offer a side play as Stephen Strasburg takes on the Houston Astros
The Nationals are 7-1 behind Strasburg after scoring five or more runs in their previous game
Strasburg (1-0, 0.69 ERA) has started strong this season, allowing one earned run on seven hits through 13 innings against the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets. Itβs helped answer a few questions about the right-hander health in 2012 and though there are still skeptics, bookies are not among them. The current line at online sportsbooks shows Washington -243 with a total of 7 Under -107.
Houston (4-5) gets its chance as the big moneyline dog and although the Astros are 8-18 the past three years getting more than 2 to 1 odds, they couldnβt find paydirt in the latter-half of 2011. Houston finished on a 1-9 run in that range and could have a long night at the plate in Washington.
The Nationals (7-3) will face right-hander Kyle Weiland (0-1, 7.20 ERA) for the first time and so far theyβve hit .245 against righties, winning six of a possible nine starts. Washington is 4-0 in games with low totals this year but still needs to figure out how to build a lead against inferior teams and put the games away. Tonight offers a great opportunity for them to do that.
MLB PICKS
Houston is coming off a 1-2 series at Florida and starters Bud Norris and J.A. Happ each gave their team a chance to win but Marlins Park should probably be given some of the credit for keeping those games close. The Astros are hitting just .219 on the road and with Weiland toeing the rubber, we suggest laying a run and-a-half as Strasburg and the Nationals start this series off right.
Pick: Take the Nationals -1.5 (-104)
RUN THE BASES
– Houston is 59-111 (-35.6 units) since the start of last season and 5-10 in its past 15 April road games
– The Astros are 3-5 against right-hander starters this year after posting a 35-80 record in 2011
– Washington is 8-4 in its past 12 April home games
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