Monday, August 31, 2015

Busch Stadium

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Gio Gonzalez (9-7) vs. John Lackey (11-8)

The Washington Nationals take on the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday at Busch Stadium. The probable starters are Gio Gonzalez for the Nationals and John Lackey for the Cardinals. The opening line for this matchup has Washington at +130 and St. Louis at -140. The over/under was set at 7. The Nationals, with a 56-72 run line record, cover the spread 44% of the time. They also have a 66-56 over/under record. The Cardinals have a 48-73 over/under record and a 66-63 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 51% of the time.

The Nationals head into this matchup with a 65-63 record, including 29-37 on the road. Starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez holds a 9-7 record with an earned run average of 4.11 and a WHIP of 1.48. In his starts, the Nationals are 13-11 over his 135.2 innings pitched this season while giving up 150 hits during those innings. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 15-8. He is getting 4.8 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen has given up 343 hits on the season and have an earned run average of 3.54. Teams are hitting .243 against the bullpen while being struck out 336 times and walking 107 times this season. As a team, Washington has allowed 8.87 hits per nine innings while striking out 8.22 batters per nine. They are 11th in the league in team earned run average at 3.73.

As a team, Washington is batting .249, good for 21st in the league while putting together a .249 average away from home. The Nationals on-base percentage sits at .318, which puts them at 13th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .398. They rank 24th in baseball with 8.33 hits per game and Bryce Harper leads the team with 138.

With a 46-19 home record, St. Louis will hope to improve on their 83-46 overall mark. With an earned run average of 2.92, John Lackey will come into this game holding a 11-8 record and a 1.20 WHIP. In his starts, the Cardinals are 14-12 and he has allowed 167 hits over 172.2 innings pitched this season. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 11-14. He is getting 3.9 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen has given up 334 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 2.32. Teams are hitting .234 against the Cardinals bullpen while being struck out 338 times and walking 139 times this season. As a team, St. Louis has allowed 8.15 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.97 batters per nine. They are 1st in the league in team earned run average at 2.63.

As a team, they are batting .254, good for 13th in the league while putting together a .260 average at home. The Cardinals on-base percentage sits at .320, which puts them at 11th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .392. They rank 14th in baseball with 8.63 hits per game and Jhonny Peralta leads the team with 134.

In terms of team defense, the Nationals have a fielding percentage of .984 with 76 total errors, 1,200 assists and 3,384 put outs. For the home team, they hold a .984 team fielding percentage while committing 76 errors, accumulating 1,292 assists and compiling 3,527 put outs.

Washington Nationals Betting Trends

The Washington Nationals are 66-56 against the over/under so far this season

The Washington Nationals are 56-72 against the run line so far this season

St. Louis Cardinals Betting Trends

The St. Louis Cardinals are 48-73 against the over/under so far this season

The St. Louis Cardinals are 66-63 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Washington Nationals

08/30/15 3B Yunel Escobar Hand "?" Monday vs. St. Louis Cardinals
08/28/15 CF Denard Span Hip Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/27); out for season
08/21/15 1B Tyler Moore Ankle Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/19)
08/10/15 P Aaron Barrett Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (8/9)
08/08/15 2B Dan Uggla Back Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/8)
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), out for season

St. Louis Cardinals

08/30/15 SS Jhonny Peralta Rest is not expected to be in the starting lineup Sunday vs. San Francisco Giants
08/30/15 P Lance Lynn Ankle "?" for next start scheduled start
08/27/15 P Trevor Rosenthal Personal expected to miss series vs. San Francisco Giants
08/18/15 LF Randal Grichuk Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/16)
07/30/15 LF Matt Holliday Quad Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/29)
07/03/15 CF Jon Jay Wrist Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/1)
07/01/15 P Matt Belisle Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (6/26)
05/27/15 1B Matt Adams Quad Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (05/26)
05/03/15 P Jordan Walden Bicep Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/30)
04/28/15 P Adam Wainwright Achilles Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/25); out for season

Tony's Pick: Take the Cardinals

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