The Washington Nationals (1-6) and Colorado Rockies (3-4) meet Friday for game 2 of this 4-game series. First pitch from Coors Field is set for 8:40 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: Rockies lead 1-0; Nationals won 2022 season series 4-3
The Nationals are off to a rough start, tied for the worst record in the league with the Kansas City Royals. Pitching has proven to be a problem for the Nationals as their pitching staff owns a 5.08 ERA through 7 games, and they’ve been outscored 39-17.
Colorado won 1-0 Thursday as a -164 home favorite to lead off this series. The run scored on RF Kris Bryant’s 5th-inning RBI single. SP Kyle Freeland (W, 6 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 K) and 2 Colorado relievers allowed just 6 hits in the shutout win.
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Nationals at Rockies projected starters
LHP MacKenzie Gore vs. RHP Jose Urena
Gore (1-0, 1.69 ERA) makes his 2nd start of the season. He was solid in his 1st outing, allowing only 1 ER on 3 hits and 4 walks with 6 K’s in 5 1/3 innings of a 4-1 victory at home vs. the Atlanta Braves.
- Career vs. Rockies: 0-2, 19.89 ERA (6 1/3 IP, 14 ER), 3.32 WHIP, 5.7 K/9 in 2 starts last season
- Last season on road: 3-1, 3.44 ERA (36 2/3 IP, 14 ER), 1.42 WHIP, 37 K in 8 appearances (6 starts)
Urena (0-1, 15.43 ERA) is also making his 2nd start of 2023. He was roughed up for 4 ER on 5 hits and 4 walks with 1 HR in only 2 1/3 IP in his 1st outing, an 8-4 loss at San Diego Padres Saturday.
- Career vs. Nationals: 5-3, 3.66 ERA (59 IP, 24 ER), 1.09 WHIP, 6/5 K/9 in 15 appearances (7 starts)
- Last season at home: 2-5, 6.14 ERA (44 IP, 30 ER), 1.66 WHIP, 7 HR, 6.3 K/9 in 10 outings (8 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 2:22 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nationals +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Rockies -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Nationals +1.5 (-165) | Rockies -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 11 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Nationals at Rockies picks and predictions
Prediction
Rockies 4, Nationals 2
Moneyline
BET ROCKIES (-135).
Recent season series between these 2 teams have been very even the past few years with the Rockies holding onto a narrow 8-6 lead since Sept. 17, 2021. In that span, the Rockies have won back-to-back games vs. the Nationals 3 times, while Washington won back-to-back games vs. Colorado twice. Following the trends — 10 of 14 — means it’s a safe bet to expect the Rockies to prevail Friday for a 2nd win in a row.
Run line/Against the spread
LEAN ROCKIES -1.5 (+135).
In 11 of the last 14 matchups the team that won covered the run line, be it as the favorite or the underdog. It is hard to gauge whether the favorite or the underdog is the safer ATS bet, as the favorite is 7-7 ATS in the last 14 meetings. If you believe the Rockies will win, expect them to cover. But if you feel the Nationals will win, lean toward them to cover.
Figure out how much you want to wager on Colorado — I suggest less than 1 1/2 units — and divvy it up between the moneyline and run line with at least 1 full unit on the ML.
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Over/Under
AVOID.
The Over/Under has been extremely balanced since 2021, going 7-7 in the 14 meetings. For Washington, the Over is 5-4-1 in the last 10 overall; for Colorado, the Under is 7-3 in the last 10.
I would advise against risking money on a bet here, but if you must, lean toward the Under (all O/U stats from team rankings.com).
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