In this article, we will formulate a Rays vs Nationals Prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, August 31st at the Nationals Park in the third game of this series, with the Rays having the 2-0 lead. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Washington Nationals Preview
The Washington Nationals have a 53-82 record this season and are sitting on the last place of the NL East. The Nationals have a 26-41 home record and are 67-59 in over/under. They are coming off 1-4 home defeat by the Rays, and have seven consecutive losses. Under is 5-2 in their last 7 games and are playing the Marlins and the Cubs next.
The Nationals have a .243 batting average this season, .309 OBP and .386 Slugging percentage. Washington’s pitching staff has a 5.36 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. James Wood leads the Nationals with 131 hits, while CJ Abrams is the team’s best hitter with a .269 batting average. James Wood adds a team-high 84 RBI and leads the team in home runs, with 26.
Brad Lord (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Nationals, and he has a 4-7 record, 3.84 ERA and 1.29 WHIP.
Tampa Bay Rays Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays have a 66-69 record this season and are sitting on the 4th place of the AL East. The Rays have a 32-36 road record and are 56-70 in over/under. They are coming off a 4-1 road victory over the Nationals, and have two consecutive losses. Under is 3-0-1 in their last 4 games and are playing the Guardians and the Mariners next.
The Rays have a .250 batting average this season, .313 OBP and .401 slugging percentage. Tampa’s pitching staff has a 3.92 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. Yandy Diaz leads the Rays with 143 hits, and he is the team’s best hitter with .284 batting average. Junior Caminero leads the team in RBI, with 94 and in home runs, with 36.
Reliever Ian Seymour (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Rays, and he has a 2-0 record, 3.18 ERA and 1.02 WHIP.
Why the Washington Nationals will win
- The Rays have lost five of their last seven games as favorites against NL East opponents following a win.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in six of their last seven games as favorites against NL East opponents following a win.
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
- The Nationals have lost each of their last eight games against AL East opponents.
- The Rays have won each of their last six games against NL East opponents.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games as underdogs against AL East opponents.
- The Rays have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games against the Nationals.
- The Nationals have lost the first inning in each of their last four home games against AL East opponents.
- The Nationals have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last eight day games at Nationals Park against American League opponents.
- The Nationals have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last eight games against AL East opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Nationals’ last four home games against American League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Six of the Rays’ last seven games as favorites against NL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Nationals’ last eight games as home underdogs against AL East opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Rays’ last eight games at Nationals Park.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nationals rank 29th in the league for ERA this season (5.36).
- The Nationals rank 29th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.270).
- The Rays rank 1st in the league for steals this season (172).
- The Rays rank 27th in the league for walks this season (390).
Rays vs Nationals Prediction
The Rays are 7-2 in their last 9 head-to-head meetings against the Nationals, and are 5-1 in their last 6 visits in Washington. Under is 4-1 in their last 5 meetings.
In this Rays vs Nationals Prediction, the Rays are coming as -150 road favorites. The Nationals are on a free fall lately and have nothing to play for. They have Lord on the mound, who has been terrible in his last two starts, with 10 earned runs in 9.2 innings pitched. The bullpen advantage is huge in favor of the Rays, who are also hitting better righties, while on the flip side, the Nationals are weaker against left-handed pitching. Take the Rays to keep rolling into this matchup and get away with the road win.