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The Washington Nationals (15-16) welcome the Toronto Blue Jays (15-17) to Nationals Park on Friday for the 1st game of a 3-game series Friday. First pitch is set for 6:45 p.m. ET (Apple TV+). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Blue Jays vs. Nationals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Toronto won 2 of 3 last season
The Blue Jays have lost 2 straight games, dropping their last game 6-1 to the Kansas City Royals Wednesday. They have lost 7 of their last 9 games. The Blue Jays have also struggled on the road, having gone 7-10 away from home.
The Nationals lost 6-0 to the Texas Rangers Thursday, but did win the previous game. They swept the Miami Marlins in a 4-game series before taking on Texas. Washington has won 5 of its last 7 yet is just 4-8 straight up at home.
Blue Jays at Nationals projected starters
LHP Yusei Kikuchi vs. LHP Patrick Corbin
Kikuchi (2-2, 2.94 ERA) makes his 7th start. He has a 1.16 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 9.6 K/9 in 33 2/3 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 4 ER, 9 H, 0 BB, 3 K in 4-2 home loss vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday
- 2024 road splits: 1-1, 2.87 ERA, 15 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 15 H (2 HR), 5 BB, 15 K in 3 starts
- Has never faced Washington
Corbin (0-3, 6.82 ERA) makes his 7th start. He has a 1.89 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 6.3 K/9 in 31 2/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 4 K in a 12-9 road win over the Miami Marlins Sunday
- 2024 home splits: 0-1, 3.18 ERA, 11 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 12 H (0 HR), 6 BB, 9 K in 2 starts
- Career vs. Toronto: 1-2, 5.82 ERA, 17 IP, 2.00 WHIP, 6 BB, 12 K in 3 starts
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Blue Jays at Nationals odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:33 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Blue Jays -178 (bet $178 to win $100) | Nationals +150 (bet $100 to win $150)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jays -1.5 (-110) | Nationals +1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -102 | U: -120)
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Blue Jays at Nationals picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jays 5, Nationals 2
Moneyline
PASS.
There’s not much value here. The Blue Jays (-178) haven’t played well on the road and are too expensive to win outright. Similarly, the Nationals (+150) aren’t worth the risk despite the plus money.
Run line/Against the spread
BET BLUE JAYS -1.5 (-111).
The Blue Jays have struggled as of late, but they are 3-2 against the spread (ATS) as a road favorite this season. Similarly, the Nationals are just 5-6 as a home favorite.
They have also failed to cover in 4 of Corbin’s last 5 starts. The pitching advantage will side with Toronto, and given Blue Jays have mainly had issues offensively, this could be what sparks its bats.
Take BLUE JAYS -1.5 (-111).
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 9 (-118).
The Blue Jays have gone Under in 2 straight games and are 12-20 O/U this season. They are 2-8 O/U in their last 10 games and have scored 2 or fewer runs in all but 3 of those games.
The Nationals have also gone Under in 2 straight and in 4 of their last 8. They are 13-17-1 O/U on the season. Considering those trends, back UNDER 9 (-118).
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