The Washington Nationals and the Cincinnati Reds meet in game two of their three-game MLB weekend set from Great American Ballpark on Saturday. The Nationals pulled off the upset in game one, can they go back-to-back here? Or will the Reds get some revenge? Let’s dig in and find out.
Nationals Stun The Reds In Extras
The Washington Nationals were decent-sized underdogs in Friday’s series opener but managed to sneak out a 6-3 win in extra innings over the Reds. The win brought the Nationals up to 47-63 on the year, 3.5 games clear of the Rockies for the worst record in the National League. Lane Thomas leads the Nationals across the board with 124 hits, a .286 batting average, 18 home runs and 60 RBIs while Luis Garcia and CJ Abrams each have a team-high 4 triples and Joey Meneses has 60 RBIs as well this season. Joan Adon will get the start for the Nationals here and is 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA and 4 strikeouts this season.
Washington Nationals Team Facts
- The Nationals have won each of their last four games as road underdogs against the Reds.
- The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last eight games as underdogs against the Reds following a win.
- The Nationals have lost the first inning in each of their last five games against opponents that held a winning record at Great American Ball Park.
- The Nationals have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three games at Great American Ball Park.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Nationals’ last five games at Great American Ball Park.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- CJ Abrams has recorded two or more hits in 10 of his last 15 appearances in day games.
- Lane Thomas has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Nationals’ last five games against the Reds.
- Lane Thomas has hit at least one home run in two of the Nationals’ last three road games against NL Central opponents.
- Joey Meneses has recorded at least one RBI in four of the Nationals’ last five road games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- Lane Thomas has scored at least one run in seven of his last eight appearances at Great American Ball Park.
- CJ Abrams ranks T9th in the league in Steals (25) this season.
Reds Looking To Bounce Back
The Cincinnati Reds are in dire need of a bounce back after their disappointing loss on Friday in the series opener. The loss dropped the Reds to 59-53 on the year, holding onto the final Wild Card spot in the National League while sitting 0.5 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central race. Spencer Steer leads the Reds with 17 home runs and 108 hits with a .357 OBP while Jake Fraley is right behind with 15 home runs but does have a team-high 63 RBIs this season. Steer also has a team-high 23 doubles while TJ Friedl has a .279 batting average. Andrew Abbott will get the start here and is 6-2 with a 2.35 ERA and 71 strikeouts this season.
Cincinnati Reds Team Facts
- The Reds have lost each of their last eight day games against the Nationals following a home loss.
- The Reds have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games as home favourites after going to extra innings.
- The Reds have led after 3 innings in each of their last five games against opponents that held a losing record.
- The Reds have won the first inning in each of their last five games against the Nationals at Great American Ball Park.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Reds’ last nine games as home favourites against NL East opponents.
Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts
- Elly De La Cruz has recorded an RBI in each of the Reds’ last four games against NL East opponents.
- Elly De La Cruz has scored a run in each of the Reds’ last four home games.
- Jake Fraley has recorded at least one hit in each of his nine previous Saturday appearances at Great American Ball Park.
- Elly De La Cruz has recorded three or more total bases in each of the Reds’ last four games against the Nationals.
- Elly De La Cruz has hit a home run in each of the Reds’ last two games as favourites against the Nationals.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Cincinnati Reds ranks 1st in the league for steals this season (126).
- The Cincinnati Reds ranks 28th in the league for walks allowed this season (417).
- The Washington Nationals ranks 30th in the league for home runs allowed this season (157).
- The Washington Nationals ranks 2nd in the league for strikeouts against this season (781).
Chris’ Pick
I have to side with the Reds here. Washington got the win on Friday and have been able to provide some value in the underdog role as of late, but Abbott has been so good at home which is crazy for a rookie at Great American Ballpark, and Joan Adon, when he was a consistent part of the Nationals’ rotation, was a guy that would get lit up on a daily basis. I look for that to occur again in Cincinnati on Saturday so give me the Reds -1.5 here.
