The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals meet Sunday in MLB action from Nationals Park. This will be the finale in a three-game weekend series. In the Friday opener, the Dodgers bagged a three-run win. In game two Washington eked out an extra-innings victory to tie it up. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Los Angeles Dodgers 

In the game one opener Friday, the Dodgers scored four runs in the sixth on the way to an 8-5 victory. JD Martinez had a three-run homer along the way. On Saturday Los Angeles lost a tough, rain-delayed (seven hours), 11-inning marathon on a wild pitch for a walk-off 7-6 loss. Max Muncy was a bright spot with a three-run homer, and Martinez had three hits with a run. 

In the starter gig for the Sunday finale, Los Angeles didn’t immediately announce a name. 

Los Angeles Dodgers Team Facts

• The Dodgers have won each of their last eight games at Nationals Park following a loss.
• The Dodgers have covered the run line in seven of their last eight road games against the Nationals following a loss.

Washington Nationals 

Over on the Nationals’ side, they had an early 3-2 lead in the Friday game but couldn’t hold on. CJ Abrams finished with to hits, two runs, two RBI and a homer, though. In game two Washington had a 5-1 lead at one point but let LA crawl back. Everything worked out though, thanks in part to Lane Thomas’ three RBI. 

As starting pitcher for Sunday’s game, Washington will send out Trevor Williams. This year in 27 starts Williams is 6-9 with a 5.21 ERA and 102 Ks in 134.2 innings. Williams is 1-4 with a 7.50 ERA over his last seven starts. 

Washington Nationals Team Facts

• The Nationals have lost each of their last nine home games against the Dodgers following a win.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six home games against the Dodgers following a win.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Nationals’ last nine games.
• The Nationals have led after 5 innings in each of their last five games against NL West opponents that held a winning record.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Washington Nationals ranks 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (1006).
• The Washington Nationals ranks 30th in the league for home runs allowed this season (219).
• The Los Angeles Dodgers ranks 1st in the league for walks this season (584).
• The Los Angeles Dodgers ranks 2nd in the league for runs scored this season (793).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably take a stab on the Nationals here. Williams is going to need a bounce-back effort, though. In his last outing September 2 versus the Marlins, Williams posted just 4.0 innings with eight earned in 12 hits. In his two starts prior to that however, Williams had just two earned in 13.0 frames. In Saturday’s game, the Nationals had a rollercoaster evening stretched out over seven hours with the rain delay. Everything worked out though, and that makes 12 runs over the last two games for Washington. If they can keep the bats going I think they’ve got a decent chance at a W in the rubber match.