Thursday, August 20, 2015

Coors Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Max Scherzer (11-9) vs. Yohan Flande (2-1)

The Washington Nationals visit Coors Field on Thursday to play the Colorado Rockies. Max Scherzer is the probable starter for the Nationals and he'll face Yohan Flande of the Rockies. The opening line for this matchup has Washington at -184 and Colorado at +174. The over/under was set at 10. The Nationals, with a 50-68 run line record, cover the spread 42% of the time. They also have a 62-52 over/under record. The Rockies are 59-58 against the run line and have a 62-51 over/under record. They cover the spread 50% of the time.

The Nationals head into this matchup with a 59-59 record, including 28-36 on the road. Max Scherzer has a 11-9 record on the season, an earned run average of 2.73 and a 0.90 WHIP. He's pitched 165 innings thus far while surrendering 125 hits over that time and when he starts, the Nationals are 13-11. The Nationals are also 9-14 against the over/under in his starts. His teammates are averaging 3.5 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen has an earned run average of 3.64 and they have given up 321 base hits on the year. Opposing teams are hitting .246 against the Nationals bullpen while walking 104 times and striking out 316 times. Washington is averaging 8.23 strikeouts per game while getting 8.97 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 14th in baseball in team earned run average at 3.79.

Washington ranks 22nd in the league in team batting average at .248 while hitting .250 on the road. The Nationals hold a .393 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .315 which is good for 15th in baseball. Bryce Harper leads the team in hits with 124 while the team ranks 23rd in baseball with 8.32 hits per game.

With a 26-32 home record, Colorado will hope to improve on their 48-69 overall mark. Yohan Flande has a record of 2-1 while sporting an earned run average of 4.19 on the year with a 1.27 WHIP. He's pitched 38.2 innings thus far while surrendering 40 hits over that time in which the Rockies are 2-2. The Rockies are also 3-1 against the over/under in his starts. His teammates score an average of 5 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen has an earned run average of 4.98 and they have given up 426 base hits on the year. Opposing teams are hitting .270 against the Rockies bullpen while walking 169 times and striking out 338 times. Colorado is averaging 6.88 strikeouts per game while getting 9.94 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 30th in the league in team earned run average at 5.10.

They rank 3rd in the league in team batting average with a .269 average while hitting .303 at home. The Rockies hold a .438 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .320 which is good for 11th in baseball. DJ LeMahieu leads the team in hits with 133 while the team ranks 4th in baseball with 9.22 hits a game.

Washington has a team fielding percentage of .984 after having committed 69 errors with 1,105 assists and 3,117 put outs for the season. The Rockies have committed 70 errors on the season with 1312 assists and 3,071 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .984 on the year.

Washington Nationals Betting Trends

The Washington Nationals are 62-52 against the over/under so far this season

The Washington Nationals are 50-68 against the run line so far this season

Colorado Rockies Betting Trends

The Colorado Rockies are 62-51 against the over/under so far this season

The Colorado Rockies are 59-58 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Washington Nationals

08/10/15 P Aaron Barrett Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/9)
08/08/15 2B Dan Uggla Back Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/8)
07/10/15 CF Denard Span Back Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/6)
04/30/15 LF Reed Johnson Calf Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/29)
04/15/15 P Craig Stammen Forearm Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/14)
04/06/15 LF Nate McLouth Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Colorado Rockies

08/19/15 RF Carlos Gonzalez Knee is upgraded to expected to be in the starting lineup Wednesday vs. Washington Nationals
08/15/15 P Boone Logan Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/12)
08/01/15 LF Corey Dickerson Ribs Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/31)
08/01/15 P Kyle Kendrick Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/1)
07/21/15 P Chad Bettis Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/19)
07/10/15 P David Hale Groin Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/9)
06/18/15 P Brooks Brown Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/17)
06/01/15 P Jordan Lyles Toe Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (6/1); out for season
05/30/15 1B Justin Morneau Concussion Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/29)
04/28/15 P Adam Ottavino Tricep Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/26)
04/04/15 P Tyler Chatwood Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/1)

Josh's Pick: Take the Nationals

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald