The Washington Nationals<\/strong> host the Toronto Blue Jays<\/strong> at Nationals Park in the District of Columbia on Monday in the opening game of a three-game set.<\/p>\n Toronto Blue Jays<\/a> (23-29) at Washington Nationals<\/a> (28-22)<\/strong> Click here to view…\u00a0MLB ATS Stats<\/a>\u00a0&\u00a0Expert MLB Betting Insight!<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Nationals have dropped four of five, and a big reason has been the lackluster play of the team\u2019s bullpen. Washington\u2019s relievers gave up six runs in two innings of work in Sunday\u2019s 8-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, and allowed 14 runs over 11 2\/3 innings in that series.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=63744&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Washington sends out Jordan Zimmermann in hopes that he can stop some of that bleeding by lasting late into this one. He\u2019ll be happy to see the calendar flip over to the month of June. He has helped the Nationals to a 12-4 record in his 16 June starts over the last three seasons.<\/p>\n His counterpart in this one, R.A. Dickey, has enjoyed success in the month of June as well. The Blue Jays are 11-5 when Dickey toes the rubber in the month of June over the last three seasons. <\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n He sports a 5.77 ERA after April and May, so June couldn\u2019t come quickly enough for him.<\/p>\n A big issue for Dickey thus far has been when he\u2019s thrown with runners in scoring position. Opposing batters are hitting .286 against him in that scenario.<\/p>\n FREE Blue Jays vs. Nationals Pick:<\/strong><\/p>\n There are going to be some runs in this game, and while Zimmermann has been the more consistent pitcher of late, he just can\u2019t be trusted to get American League hitters out on a consistent basis. In a game that projects as more of a toss-up, the under is the side.<\/p>\n With that said, the way to attack this game appears to be by playing the over. Dickey\u2019s been hit hard lately, and while the Nationals haven\u2019t been scoring a lot of runs, he\u2019s the kind of pitcher they can get to, while the Blue Jays figure to provide him with some run support when they step up to the plate.<\/p>\n The Blue Jays are 5-2 in their last seven interleague games, while the Nationals are 1-4 in Zimmermann\u2019s last five starts against A.L. East opponents.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=63745&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n The Nationals are 0-4 in their last four games against right-handed starts, and they are 1-4 in their last five games overall.<\/p>\n The over is 4-1 in the Blue Jays\u2019 last five interleague games, and it is 5-2 in their last seven road games.<\/p>\n The over is 4-1 in Dickey\u2019s last five interleague starts, and it is 5-0-1 in his last six starts on five days\u2019 rest.<\/p>\n The over is 5-1 in the Nationals\u2019 last six interleague home games.<\/p>\n The over is 18-1 in Zimmerman\u2019s last 19 starts on a Monday, and it is 7-1 in Zimmermann\u2019s last eight starts in the opener of a series.<\/p>\n\n
MLB Baseball Odds<\/h3>\n
\n Date: Monday, June 1, 2015<\/strong>
\n Time: 7:05 p.m. ET<\/strong>
\n Venue: Nationals Park<\/strong>
\n City: Washington, D.C.<\/strong>
\n O\/U Odds: 8<\/strong>
\n Money Line: Washington -150, Toronto +138<\/strong>
\n Pitching Matchup: RH R.A. Dickey (2-5, 5.77 ERA) at RH Jason Zimmermann (4-2, 3.26 ERA)<\/strong>
\n ***2015 MLB BONUSES***<\/a><\/strong>
\n [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/strong><\/p>\nMLB Betting Trends:<\/h3>\n
The play: Toronto +138, Over 8<\/h3>\n