The San Francisco Giants (38-23) and Washington Nationals (25-33) meet Friday at 7:05 p.m. ET for the delayed start of a four-game series at Nationals Park. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Giants vs. Nationals odds with MLB picks and predictions.
RHP Anthony DeSclafani makes his 13th start for the Giants. DeSclafani is 5-2 with a 3.51 ERA , 1.11 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 in 66 2/3 IP.
Increases in walks and fly balls have led to the veteran right-hander posting a 9.45 ERA over his last 3 starts. Recent-vintage DeSclafani has been a solid pitcher on the road, owning a 3.62 ERA in his last 144 1/3 road innings.
RHP Max Scherzer takes the mound for the Nationals. Scherzer is 5-4 with a 2.22 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9 and 12.2 K/9 in 77 IP across 12 starts.
He has picked up 28 K just 3 BB over his last 3 starts. Four current San Francisco bats have faced Scherzer before and own a .604 OPS against him.
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Giants at Nationals odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 7:57 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Giants +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Nationals -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Giants +1.5 (-145) | Nationals -1.5 (+120)
- Over/Under: 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Prediction
Nationals 5, Giants 3
Money line (ML)
This series was to have started Thursday night but that contest was postponed due to rain. The series now includes a Saturday doubleheader, so that figures to affect bullpen use in this game.
San Francisco comes in having won seven of its last 10 games. Washington is back in its home environment after a 4-5 road swing.
PASS on the ML, and look for better profit margins elsewhere.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
TAKE WASHINGTON -1.5 (+120). The Scherzer upside/DeSclafani downside combo is likely enough and provides enough margin to make for some run-line value on the Nationals. The Washington bullpen has posted improved analytics over recent weeks.
Over/Under (O/U)
BACK THE OVER 7.5 (-110). Both starters are toting around low batting-average-on-balls-in-play figures with DeSclafani owning a .251 and Scherzer’s .242 coming in even lower. The Giants’ offense has been tremendous on the road (.756 OPS); the Nats look to be under-performing on their quality of contact and are a decent play to pick up the pace with the bats. Also, mix in the possibility of a take-one-for-the-team effort (to save pitching for Saturday) for a long reliever if the game goes sideways either way.
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