Two teams with very different motivations on Friday night. The Washington Nationals just want this mega-disappointing season to end. The Colorado Rockies, meanwhile, are battling for both the NL West title and a wild-card spot. So who do you think is favored on the MLB Odds?
The Nationals bring a three-game winning streak into this one to get three games over .500 so they are at least guaranteed not to finish with a losing record. Wednesday’s game, a 9-3 win over the Marlins in eight innings (shortened by rain), was most likely Bryce Harper’s last-ever home game as a National. He didn’t do anything of note.
Harper is having a fine season, though. He has scored 101 runs, recorded 100 RBI and 129 walks in 2018. He is the first player in Nationals history (2005-pres.) and the seventh player since 2014 to record at least 100 runs, RBI and walks in a season, joining Jose Ramirez (2018), Joey Votto (2017), Aaron Judge (2017), Mike Trout (2016), Paul Goldschmidt (2015) and Jose Bautista (2015, 2014). He is just the 23rd player in baseball history to put together a season of at least 100 runs, 100 RBI and 125 walks. On the season, Harper ranks in the National League in HR (T2nd, 34), OBP (4th, .393), runs (T5th, 101), RBI (7th, 100), OPS (9th, .892) and extra-base hits (11th, 66).
The big star Wednesday was young Victor Robles, who went 4-for-5 with a homer, five RBI and a steal. Robles that possibly could have been bigger if the game wasn’t called due to rain after seven innings. The homer was the third in 18 games for the 21-year-old. Robles is one of the best prospects in baseball, and he’s one of the reasons the Nats aren’t expected to break the bank and bring Harper back.
Ryan Zimmerman left Wednesday’s game against the Marlins with tightness in his back and was replaced by Mark Reynolds. With Washington eliminated from playoff competition, they won’t rush the 33-year-old Zimmerman back and he might be done for the year.It’s Joe Ross (0-1, 4.09) on the mound. Ross will make his third and final start in what has been a solid 2018 after missing 14 months with Tommy John surgery. In 11 innings, Ross has given up six runs (five earned) with three strikeouts and three walks.
The Rockies could win the division, be a wild-card team or miss the playoffs altogether. Over their last eight games as of Thursday, Rockies starters are 5-0 with a 1.43 ERA. They have pitched seven innings or more in five of those games with quality starts in seven of those contests, not allowing more than two runs in any of those games.
The Rockies’ starting ERA of 4.19 is the second-lowest figure in franchise history, trailing only 2009 (4.10) team. The team’s overall ERA of 4.34 ranks fourth in club history and is the lowest since the 2010 squad posted a franchise-low 4.14 mark. The 2.54 ERA by the bullpen this month ranks second in the National League and in the Majors behind Milwaukee (1.98). The Rockies’ 45 come-from-behind wins are second in the NL (third in the Majors) and tied for the third-most in franchise history.
Charlie Blackmon’s .348 batting average in September ranks fourth in the NL with the center fielder hitting safely in 21 of 24 games. Trevor Story is tied for second in the NL this month with eight home runs, despite missing five days of playing time with elbow soreness.
It’s lefty ace Kyle Freeland (16-7, 2.84). He is 7-0 with a 2.10 ERA (64.1 IP, 15 ER) in his past 10 starts since Aug. 6. He earned the win his last time out on Sept. 23 at Arizona, pitching seven shutout innings with seven hits, one walk, and six strikeouts. Freeland has recorded 10 consecutive quality starts, 23 quality starts on the season.
Freeland has gone 9-2 with a 2.36 ERA (87.2 IP, 23 ER) in 14 starts at home this season, with the Rockies going 12-2. He will be making his third career start against the Nationals, second this season. Freeland did not factor in the Rockies’ 2-1 win at Nationals Park on April 13 (4.2,4,1,1,3,4). In two career starts against Washington, both at Nationals Park is 1-0 with a 3.72 ERA (9.2 IP, 4 ER), three walks and eight strikeouts.
How to Bet Nationals vs Rockies MLB Odds & Game Info
Trea Turner hit .308 and set a new #Nats SB record… pic.twitter.com/8RxPT5IFNC
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) 27 de septiembre de 2018
- When: Friday, 8:10 PM ET
- Where: Coors Field, Denver
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Joe Ross/Kyle Freeland
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- Radio: Washington / Colorado
- MLB Odds: Colorado Rockies -182 / Washington Nationals +172 (10.5)
MLB Specials
Weather Forecast
- Clear: 12°C/53°F
- Humidity: 55%
- Precipitation: 1%
- Cloud Cover: 9%
- Wind: 8 mph E
- Stadium Type: Open
Why Bet on Washington?
The Nationals bring a three-game winning streak into this one to get three games over .500 so they are at least guaranteed not to finish with a losing record. Wednesday’s game, a 9-3 win over the Marlins in eight innings (shortened by rain), was most likely Bryce Harper’s last-ever home game as a National. He didn’t do anything of note.
Harper is having a fine season, though. He has scored 101 runs, recorded 100 RBI and 129 walks in 2018. He is the first player in Nationals history (2005-pres.) and the seventh player since 2014 to record at least 100 runs, RBI and walks in a season, joining Jose Ramirez (2018), Joey Votto (2017), Aaron Judge (2017), Mike Trout (2016), Paul Goldschmidt (2015) and Jose Bautista (2015, 2014). He is just the 23rd player in baseball history to put together a season of at least 100 runs, 100 RBI and 125 walks. On the season, Harper ranks in the National League in HR (T2nd, 34), OBP (4th, .393), runs (T5th, 101), RBI (7th, 100), OPS (9th, .892) and extra-base hits (11th, 66).
The big star Wednesday was young Victor Robles, who went 4-for-5 with a homer, five RBI and a steal. Robles that possibly could have been bigger if the game wasn’t called due to rain after seven innings. The homer was the third in 18 games for the 21-year-old. Robles is one of the best prospects in baseball, and he’s one of the reasons the Nats aren’t expected to break the bank and bring Harper back.
Ryan Zimmerman left Wednesday’s game against the Marlins with tightness in his back and was replaced by Mark Reynolds. With Washington eliminated from playoff competition, they won’t rush the 33-year-old Zimmerman back and he might be done for the year.
Why Bet on Colorado?
The Rockies could win the division, be a wild-card team or miss the playoffs altogether. Over their last eight games as of Thursday, Rockies starters are 5-0 with a 1.43 ERA. They have pitched seven innings or more in five of those games with quality starts in seven of those contests, not allowing more than two runs in any of those games.
The Rockies’ starting ERA of 4.19 is the second-lowest figure in franchise history, trailing only 2009 (4.10) team. The team’s overall ERA of 4.34 ranks fourth in club history and is the lowest since the 2010 squad posted a franchise-low 4.14 mark. The 2.54 ERA by the bullpen this month ranks second in the National League and in the Majors behind Milwaukee (1.98). The Rockies’ 45 come-from-behind wins are second in the NL (third in the Majors) and tied for the third-most in franchise history.
Charlie Blackmon’s .348 batting average in September ranks fourth in the NL with the center fielder hitting safely in 21 of 24 games. Trevor Story is tied for second in the NL this month with eight home runs, despite missing five days of playing time with elbow soreness.
It’s lefty ace Kyle Freeland (16-7, 2.84). He is 7-0 with a 2.10 ERA (64.1 IP, 15 ER) in his past 10 starts since Aug. 6. He earned the win his last time out on Sept. 23 at Arizona, pitching seven shutout innings with seven hits, one walk, and six strikeouts. Freeland has recorded 10 consecutive quality starts, 23 quality starts on the season.
Freeland has gone 9-2 with a 2.36 ERA (87.2 IP, 23 ER) in 14 starts at home this season, with the Rockies going 12-2. He will be making his third career start against the Nationals, second this season. Freeland did not factor in the Rockies’ 2-1 win at Nationals Park on April 13 (4.2,4,1,1,3,4). In two career starts against Washington, both at Nationals Park is 1-0 with a 3.72 ERA (9.2 IP, 4 ER), three walks and eight strikeouts.
Latest Nationals vs Rockies MLB Betting Trends
- Nationals are 1-4 in their last 5 during game 1 of a series
- Nationals are 0-4 in their last 4 Friday games
- Rockies are 7-0 in their last 7 vs. National League East
- Rockies are 4-0 in Freeland’s last 4 starts during game 1 of a series
- Washington is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games
- Colorado is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
- Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado’s last 5 games at home
