The Cincinnati Reds and the Washington Nationals meet in MLB action from Nationals Park on Wednesday. Let’s dive into the odds, starting pitching matchup, history and make a prediction for this game.
Odds
Cincinnati is listed as a -120 road favorite while Washington is a +100 home underdog. The total for this game is set at 9.5 runs.
Starting Pitching Matchup
Graham Ashcraft will start for the Reds here and is 3-6 with a 6.66 ERA and 59 strikeouts this season. Josiah Gray will start for the Nationals here and is 6-6 with a 3.30 ERA and 86 strikeouts this season.
Matchup History
Cincinnati’s 8-4 win over the Nationals on Tuesday made it back-to-back wins and four wins in the last five head-to-head meetings for the Reds in this matchup.
Trends
Cincinnati is 21-6 in their last 27 games overall and 17-4 in their last 21 road games against a team with a right-handed starter while the over is 6-1 in their last 7 games following a win. Washington is 1-4 in their last 5 games against the NL Central and 12-45 in their last 57 games against a team with a winning record while the under is 3-1-1 in their last 5 games overall.
Pick
I’m backing the Reds here. I have been a big naysayer of Graham Ashcraft for much of the year, but I’m liking him in this spot. The Nationals haven’t been all that explosive offensively and Ashcraft’s been a lot better on the road, where his ERA is three runs lower than his ERA at hitter-friendly Great American. Josiah Gray has done a great job at keeping the Nationals in the game in his starts, but he’s struggled at home once again this season and the Reds are simply swinging a hot bat and should be able to get to him here. Give me the Reds.