MLB Predictions: Will runs be a premium in Nats vs. Cards? 7/2/17
Will tonight’s Nats and Cards matchup turn into a pitcher’s duel? The first pitch for ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball game this week is set for 8:05PM ET.
The Matchup: Nats vs. Cards, 8:05PM ET, Busch Stadium
Washington enters play tonight with a 47-33 record and is 25-16 on the road. That said, the Nats have split over their last 10 games and have lost three consecutive games. Two of those three losses have come against the Cards in this series.
As for St. Louis, the Cards are three games below .500 on the season at 38-41 and are 21-20 at home. That said, they’ve won six of their last 10 games and four in a row. They’re also 6-1 over their last seven games dating back to last Sunday’s win over the Pirates.
According to oddsmakers, the Nats are -129 money line favorites for tonight’s game. The Cards, meanwhile, are +119 money line underdogs. As for the total, the number currently sits at 7.5 runs.
The Pitching Matchup: Max Scherzer (WAS) vs. Carlos Martinez (STL)
Scherzer picked up his ninth win of the season in a 6-1 victory over the Cubs in his last outing. He pitched six innings of one-run ball to pick up the win. The 32-year-old veteran scattered two hits, struck out six and didn’t walk a single batter. Scherzer is 9-5 on the year and owns a 2.06 ERA with a 0.78 WHIP.
Martinez, meanwhile, took the no-decision in a start against Arizona his last time out. He pitched six innings, allowed two runs on four hits but the Cards’ bullpen blew a late lead. Martinez is now 6-6 on the year, but owns a 2.88 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.
Our Prediction
The under is 4-1 in Martinez’s last five home starts and is 6-2 in his last eight outings overall. In Scherzer’s last eight outings overall, the under is also 7-1. It is 4-1 in his last five road outings as well.
Sunday MLB Prediction: Nats/Cards under 7.5
