The Washington Nationals (1-5) and Colorado Rockies (2-4) open a 4-game set Thursday at Coors Field. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Nationals vs. Rockies odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting of 2023. Washington won last season’s series 4-3.
The Nationals lost 7-2 as +237 home underdogs vs. the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday. OF Victor Robles hit an RBI double in the 2nd inning to make it 1-1 before Tampa Bay pulled away.
The Rockies lost 5-2 as +207 underdogs at the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday. Colorado was swept 2-0 in its series vs. Los Angeles and has lost 4 straight games.
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Nationals at Rockies projected starters
RHP Josiah Gray vs. LHP Kyle Freeland
Gray (0-1, 9.00 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He allowed 5 ER on 7 H and 2 BB with 4 K in 5 IP in his debut vs. the Atlanta Braves Saturday.
- Went 7-10 with a 5.02 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 4 BB/9 and 9.3 K/9 in 148 2/3 IP in 2022.
- Career vs. Colorado: 2-0 with a 5.03 ERA (19 2/3 IP, 11 ER) in 4 starts.
Freeland (1-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He tossed 6 scoreless IP in his debut with 3 H, 1 BB and 1 K at the San Diego Padres Friday.
- Posted a 9-11 record with a 4.53 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 6.8 K/9 in 174 2/3 in 2022.
- Career vs. Washington: 4-2 with a 2.70 ERA (40 IP, 12 ER) in 7 starts.
Nationals at Rockies odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:16 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nationals +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Rockies -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Nationals +1.5 (-155) | Rockies -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 11 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Nationals at Rockies picks and predictions
Prediction
Rockies 7, Nationals 6
Moneyline
BET ROCKIES (-145).
Colorado has lost 4 straight games, but those losses were against much better competition in the Dodgers and Padres. Washington has struggled against lefties in recent contests and is 14-42 in its last 56 vs. left-handed starters. Look for Gray to struggle once again as he faces the Rockies in their home opener.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
Washington has not lost by multiple runs in any of its last 4 meetings vs. Colorado. Nationals +1.5 (-155) should hit Thursday, but there is no need to pay the higher price on the run line when Rockies moneyline is the better play. Bet Rockies moneyline and/or the total instead.
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Over/Under
BET OVER 11 (-105).
The Over is 8-3-1 in Washington’s last 12 games and 7-2-2 in its last 11 vs. left-handed starters.
The Over has hit in 12 of the last 17 meetings between these teams in Colorado and should hit again Thursday as the Rockies’ offense bounces back offensively at home after scoring just 2 runs last time out.
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