MLB Betting – Nationals vs Padres Preview & Prediction
The Nationals have been one of the surprises in the early part of the MLB season, as they have the best record in the Majors and they are on a 4-game winning streak.
Venue/ Stadium: Petco Park, San Diego, California
Time/Date: 10:05 PM EST Thursday, April 26, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: Nationals -115 / Padres -105
Over/Under: 6.5 runs
Washington Nationals vs. San Diego Padres Preview
On the other side of the coin the Padres have sputtered out of the games, as they are in the basement of the NL West and they have lost 2 straight. Washington is not a high scoring team ranking 21st in runs scored, but their pitching has been stellar with the best team ERA.
In yesterday’s game between these 2 teams the Nationals won 7-2.
This season the Nationals have an O/U record of 6-12 and a run-line W/L record of 8-10 and the Padres have an O/U record of 9-8 and a run-line W/L record of 6-13.
Tonight the Nationals will look to sweep this 3-game series.
Edwin Jackson (1-1, 4.26 ERA) takes the mound for the National tonight and in his last outing he struggled giving up 5 earned runs in 5 innings in a loss to the Astros. Padres starter Edinson Volquez (0-2, 4.30 ERA) also got a loss in his last start not getting much run support giving up 3 earned runs in 6 innings.
Jackson is 0-3 with a 5.16 ERA in 5 career starts against the Padres. Volquez is 1-1 with a 9.72 ERA in 2 starts against the Nationals, but he has not faced them since the 2010 season. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
One player Jackson really has to worry about is Adam LaRoche, who leads the Nationals in batting average, HR, and RBI. He is hitting .350 in his last 7 games facing the Padres and he is the only Washington player that has over 8 RBI.
The Nationals are 5-0 in their last 5 games facing the Padres in sunny San Diego.
No Padres player is hitting above .300 and much like LaRoche Chase Headley leads San Diego in most batting categories. He and Will Venable are the only everyday players that are hitting over .250 and you know the San Diego lineup is struggling since 5 everyday players are hitting below .220.
Nationals vs. Padres Betting Trends
The Nationals are 17-5 in their last 22 road games, 11-4 in their last 15 games as a road favorite, and they have an Under record of 7-1 in their last 8 games as a road favorite.
The Padres are 2-5 in their last 7 home games, 0-4 in Volquez’s last 4 starts, and they have an Over record of 4-1 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Jason’s Pick: I have to go with the Nationals in this away game not only because.
