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Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins Game 1 – 8/22/20 MLB Pick, Odds, and Prediction


2020-08-22 16:05:00 EDT

The Miami Marlins and the Washington Nationals meet Saturday in MLB action from Nationals Park. 

This will be the game one of a Saturday doubleheader, and the second installment of a lengthy five-game weekend series between these teams. In the set opener on Friday, Miami scored three runs in the top of the second inning and hung on for a tight 3-2 victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks and MLB predictions at Sports Chat Place. 

The Marlins out-hit the Nationals 9-4 in the Friday win, but could only score in the second inning. Only two Marlins players came up hitless in that one, and Miguel Rojas was responsible for pretty much the entire offensive output with a 2-for-4 night and a three-run homer. Elieser Hernandez managed a victory as the starting pitcher with 5.0 innings, six strikeouts, three hits and two earned. 

For the Saturday matchup, the Marlins will roll out Daniel Castano in the starting role. In the two Major League starts of his career, Castano is 0-1 with a 4.35 ERA and six strikeouts in 10.1 innings of work. 

Over on the Nationals’ side, they got some nice length out of Patrick Corbin’s start on Friday; he went 6.1 innings with eight hits, three earned, two walks and nine strikeouts. The Washington pen held together pretty well otherwise, allowing just one hit in 2.2 innings. Offensively, Yan Gomes and Trea Turner each hit solo home runs and provided the team’s only runs. 

For Saturday’s game one starting pitcher role, the Nationals are going with Max Scherzer. Over five starts this season, Scherzer is 2-1 with a 3.71 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 26.2 innings of work. Across his MLB career, Scherzer is 172-90 with a 3.20 ERA and 2731 Ks in 2316.2 innings total. 

The Marlins are 6-2 in their last eight games following a win and 17-37 in their last 54 road games. Miami is 17-38 in their last 55 versus the National League East and 20-46 in their last 66 during game two of a series. 

Meanwhile, the Nationals are 6-0 in their last six opening games of a doubleheader and 9-2 in their last 11 home games versus a left-handed starter. Washington is 21-6 in their last 27 games versus a lefty starter overall and 65-31 in their last 96 games as a favorite. 

Pick: I’m leaning Nationals here, but that line is THICK. This is mostly because of Scherzer starting the game for Washington. He’s 13-4 with a solid 3.08 ERA in 22 starts versus Miami over his career, and has a really nice strikeout rate going. Scherzer has 39 Ks in 26.2 innings across 2020 already, and it should be another hit parade in this one. I expect Miami to keep things relatively tight, and the Nats hitters/bullpen will have to follow Scherzer’s lead, but if all falls into place there’s a win here for Washington. You wouldn’t be crazy for taking Miami on a value pick in this one, but it’s going to be an uphill battle for them. 

Andrew's Free Pick: Washington Nationals -270

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Andrew

Andrew has been writing about college, professional and fantasy sports betting since 2013. Andrew's goal is to break down the complicated numbers and trends into a language that's easily accessible to novice sports bettors and seasoned professionals alike.

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