Some experts thought the Washington Nationals would be just fine without Bryce Harper this season thanks to some talented young outfielders. That hasn’t been the case, though, as the Nats continue to struggle. They are underdogs on the MLB betting lines for Wednesday’s series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers.
How to Bet Nationals vs Brewers MLB Odds & Game Info
- When: Wednesday, 1:10 PM ET
- Where: Miller Park
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Jeremy Hellickson/Brandon Woodruff
- TV: MLB Network
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- Radio: The Big 1070
- MLB Odds: Milwaukee Brewers -200 (Total 9)
Why Bet on Washington?
This road trip continues a stretch of 33 games in 34 days through May 29. The Nationals will enjoy a day off on May 13 in between stretches of 17 straight games (4/26-5/12) and 16 straight games (5/14-29). This series features two pitching staffs with the most strikeouts in the National League.
Washington’s hurlers lead Major League Baseball in strikeouts per 9.0 innings (10.10) and rank fourth in the National League in strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.95). Washington’s starters lead the National League with a 3.55 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Howie Kendrick has hit safely in nine of his past 10 games. On Monday, he hit a 2-run home run in the first inning, his fifth of the season. The homer came in Kendrick’s 81st plate appearance of the season, surpassing his total from 2018 in 160 plate appearances. Although he falls just short of qualifying among league leaders, Kendrick ranks seventh in the National League in batting average (.338) among players with at least 80 plate appearances.
Catcher Yan Gomes exited Monday’s game against the Brewers with a left forearm contusion. Gomes initially remained in the game after being hit by a Jhoulys Chacin pitch, but he eventually had to come out. X-rays came back clean and he’s considered day-to-day. Outfielder Andrew Stevenson departed Monday due to back spasms.
It’s Jeremy Hellickson (2-0, 5.33) on the mound. Hellickson didn’t factor into the decision Friday against the Phillies, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out nine across 5.1 innings. Hellickson settled in nicely after allowing a first-inning homer to Jean Segura, retiring 15 of the next 17 batters — a season-high nine via strikeout — before surrendering a single to Segura with one out in the sixth inning and subsequently getting the hook.
The right-hander had thrown just 79 pitches, though the decision was made to prevent Hellickson from facing the heart of Philadelphia’s order a third time through. Rhys Hoskins ultimately homered off Dan Jennings to bring in Segura, leaving Hellickson with two earned runs on the day.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.63
- Hits: 8.31
- Walks: 3.37
- Strike Outs: 10.00
Defense
- Runs: 5.17
- Hits: 8.80
- Walks: 3.43
- Strike Outs: 10.14
Why Bet on Milwaukee?
Outfielder Lorenzo Cain (hand) didn’t play Monday. Cain had to leave Sunday’s game after being hit on the left hand by a pitch. The good news is that X-rays came back clean. Ben Gamel started for Cain, who might be back by Wednesday. Gamel went 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored. It marked his seventh multi-hit game of the season, 4 of which have come in the span of his last 10 contests. He’s hit safely in 9 of those 10 games, during which he’s batted .400 (14-for-35) with 9 runs and a 1.033 OPS.
Junior Guerra pitched a perfect ninth in a two-run game against the Nationals for his second save Monday. The Brewers would prefer Jeremy Jeffress as the fallback to Josh Hader in the ninth, but since Jeffress’s velocity still isn’t up to par, Guerra remains a candidate for saves. He has a 2.21 ERA after permanently moving to the bullpen over the winter. Jeffress retired the side in order in the eighth inning. He has now retired all 12 batters over his last 3 appearances and each of his last 14. Opponents are now batting .148 (4-for-27) with 1 extra-base hit (a home run) against him this season.
As of Tuesday, Mike Moustakas has hit safely in all 5 games this month. He has now hit safely in 12 of his last 13 and 18 of his last 21 games dating back to 4/8, during which time he’s batted .310 (26-for-84) with 14 runs, 6 doubles, 6 homers, 17 RBI and a .965 OPS.
It’s Brandon Woodruff (4-1, 4.71) on the mound. Woodruff picked up the win against the Mets on Friday, giving up one earned run on six hits over five innings, striking out seven and walking two as the Brewers took a 3-1 victory. The right-hander was knocked around for five runs by the Dodgers in April, but he’s bounced back with two solid efforts against the Mets. “Of all our young guys, I think he has as high a ceiling as anybody,” Ryan Braun said.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.82
- Hits: 8.24
- Walks: 3.55
- Strike Outs: 9.71
Defense
- Runs: 4.87
- Hits: 8.47
- Walks: 3.74
- Strike Outs: 9.21
Nationals vs Brewers MLB Betting Trends
- Nationals are 2-6 in Hellickson’s last 8 road starts
- Nationals are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games on the road
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington’s last 8 games
- Brewers are 6-1 in Woodruff’s last 7 home starts
- Brewers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee’s last 5 games against an opponent in the National League
Expert Final Score Prediction for Nationals vs Brewers
Washington Nationals 4 – Milwaukee Brewers 5
