LA Dodgers (1-1) at Washington (1-1)
When: Sunday, October 6th 2019
Where: Nationals Park,
Washington, DC
Time: 7:45 ET | TV: TBS
Opening Odds: Washington -135/8
It appears the Washington Nationals are going to ride pitchers Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg until their arms fall off in trying to topple the might Los Angeles Dodgers. The teams will head back to the Nation’s Capital for Game 3 of their 1-1 National League Division Series with Washington planning on starting Scherzer while L.A. goes with the well-rest Hyun-Jin Ryu. The Dodgers took the opener behind a dominant effort from Walker Buehler, but the Nationals got to Clayton Kershaw in Game 2 and received a dominant effort of their own from Strasburg before Scherzer came on in the eighth to strike out the side in the 4-2 victory. The Dodgers struck out 17 times in Game 2 and superstar Cody Bellinger has yet to show up, going 0-for-6 with four punch-outs. First baseman Max Muncy has been the hitting star for L.A., driving in four runs while going 3-for-6 through the first two games. The top of the Washington batting order – Trea Turner, Adam Eaton, and Anthony Rendon each recorded two hits in Friday’s victory, but the rest of the starting lineup went 3-for-18. Game 4 will be played on Monday.
Pitchers: Dodgers – Hyun-Jin Ryu (14-5, 2.32 ERA) | Nationals – Max Scherzer (0-0, 4.50)
Ryu was well on his way to a Cy Young before hitting a wall in August, but still managed to lead the National League with a 2.32 ERA by finishing strong. He pitched to a 1.29 ERA over this last three starts, while going seven innings in each of them. The Dodgers won both of Ryu’s starts this season against the Nationals after the South Korea native allowed a total of one run and nine hits over 14.2 innings while striking out 13.
There is a chance Scherzer could be scratched depending on how he feels Sunday morning after pitching on Friday, but I’m willing to bet the ultra-competitor in him wants to go. If not, Anibal Sanchez will get the nod and Scherzer could go on Monday. Scherzer allowed three runs on four hits – two homers – over five innings before turning things over to the bullpen in the wild card win over Milwaukee. He pitched seven strong innings in earning the win at Los Angeles back on My 11th.
The Dodgers are too good to lose this series, right? I wouldn’t panic yet if I were an L.A. fan, but they’ll need to stop striking out and get to the Nationals’ leaky bullpen. Ryu comes into the postseason with some momentum and I expect him to pitch good. I’ll take the Dodgers in this one.
**NOTE** If Scherzer can’t go, we will still take the Dodgers against Sanchez and will adjust the line accordingly.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for Sunday. He finished 135-95 +2686 units in the regular season!
Pick: Dodgers +105 -162
BETTING TRENDS:
Dodgers are 7-0 in their last 7 road games.
Dodgers are 6-0 in their last 6 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Dodgers are 9-2 in their last 11 Divisional Playoff games.
Dodgers are 41-11 in their last 52 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Dodgers are 44-16 in their last 60 Sunday games.
Dodgers are 38-14 in their last 52 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Dodgers are 38-15 in their last 53 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Dodgers are 60-24 in their last 84 during game 3 of a series.
Dodgers are 5-2 in their last 7 Divisional Playoff road games.
Dodgers are 51-23 in their last 74 games following a loss.
Dodgers are 53-24 in their last 77 games following an off day.
Dodgers are 43-20 in their last 63 vs. National League East.
Dodgers are 38-18 in their last 56 overall.
Dodgers are 38-18 in their last 56 games on grass.
Dodgers are 53-26 in their last 79 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Dodgers are 2-5 in their last 7 playoff games.
Dodgers are 6-0 in Ryu’s last 6 starts during game 3 of a series.
Dodgers are 10-2 in Ryu’s last 12 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Dodgers are 17-4 in Ryu’s last 21 Sunday starts.
Dodgers are 22-6 in Ryu’s last 28 starts after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Dodgers are 20-6 in Ryu’s last 26 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Dodgers are 6-2 in Ryu’s last 8 starts vs. National League East.
Dodgers are 6-2 in Ryu’s last 8 starts with 7 or more days of rest.
Dodgers are 17-6 in Ryu’s last 23 starts.
Dodgers are 17-6 in Ryu’s last 23 starts on grass.
Dodgers are 5-18 in Ryu’s last 23 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Dodgers are 0-4 in Ryu’s last 4 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Nationals are 6-0 in their last 6 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Nationals are 4-0 in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Nationals are 8-1 in their last 9 games following a win.
Nationals are 7-1 in their last 8 Sunday games.
Nationals are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. National League West.
Nationals are 4-1 in their last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Nationals are 28-10 in their last 38 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Nationals are 11-4 in their last 15 games following an off day.
Nationals are 19-7 in their last 26 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Nationals are 29-11 in their last 40 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Nationals are 41-17 in their last 58 home games.
Nationals are 37-17 in their last 54 overall.
Nationals are 37-17 in their last 54 games on grass.
Nationals are 35-17 in their last 52 during game 3 of a series.
Nationals are 3-7 in their last 10 playoff home games.
Nationals are 2-7 in their last 9 Divisional Playoff home games.
Nationals are 5-1 in Scherzer’s last 6 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Nationals are 13-3 in Scherzer’s last 16 starts.
Nationals are 13-3 in Scherzer’s last 16 starts on grass.
Nationals are 4-1 in Scherzer’s last 5 home starts.
Nationals are 4-1 in Scherzer’s last 5 Sunday starts.
Nationals are 7-2 in Scherzer’s last 9 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Nationals are 40-15 in Scherzer’s last 55 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Nationals are 17-7 in Scherzer’s last 24 starts vs. National League West.
Nationals are 41-19 in Scherzer’s last 60 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Nationals are 35-17 in Scherzer’s last 52 starts during game 3 of a series.
Under is 4-0 in Dodgers last 4 vs. National League East.
Under is 5-1-1 in Dodgers last 7 Divisional Playoff games.
Under is 5-1 in Dodgers last 6 playoff games.
Under is 11-3 in Dodgers last 14 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 3-1-1 in Dodgers last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 19-7-1 in Dodgers last 27 games following a loss.
Under is 5-2 in Dodgers last 7 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Over is 5-2-1 in Dodgers last 8 games following an off day.
Under is 5-2 in Dodgers last 7 Sunday games.
Over is 5-2-1 in Dodgers last 8 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 10-4 in Dodgers last 14 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 21-9-1 in Dodgers last 31 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 6-0 in Ryu’s last 6 starts vs. National League East.
Over is 5-1 in Ryu’s last 6 starts during game 3 of a series.
Over is 4-1 in Ryu’s last 5 Sunday starts.
Under is 26-8-1 in Ryu’s last 35 starts after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Ryu’s last 7 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Over is 9-4 in Ryu’s last 13 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 34-16-2 in Ryu’s last 52 road starts.
Under is 6-0-1 in Nationals last 7 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Over is 3-0-1 in Nationals last 4 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 5-0 in Nationals last 5 vs. National League West.
Under is 5-1 in Nationals last 6 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Under is 5-1 in Nationals last 6 playoff games.
Over is 8-2 in Nationals last 10 Sunday games.
Under is 4-1 in Nationals last 5 Divisional Playoff games.
Under is 4-1-1 in Nationals last 6 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Over is 4-1 in Nationals last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 4-1 in Nationals last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 3-1-1 in Nationals last 5 home games.
Under is 11-4-1 in Nationals last 16 games following an off day.
Over is 10-4 in Nationals last 14 during game 3 of a series.
Under is 4-1 in Scherzer’s last 5 starts during game 3 of a series.
Over is 7-3-3 in Scherzer’s last 13 starts vs. National League West.
Dodgers are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Washington.
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Washington.
Under is 4-1 in Ryu’s last 5 starts vs. Nationals.
Under is 6-2-1 in the last 9 meetings.
Over is 3-1-2 in Scherzer’s last 6 starts vs. Dodgers.
Dodgers are 10-4 in the last 14 meetings.
Nationals are 0-4 in Scherzer’s last 4 home starts vs. Dodgers.
