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The Washington Nationals (31-35) and Detroit Tigers (32-34) play the middle contest of a 3-game interleague series at Comerica Park Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Nationals vs. Tigers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Nationals lead 1-0
The Nationals picked up a 5-4 victory Tuesday night in the interleague series opener. It was a seesaw battle, as Washington (-102) took a 3-0 lead midway through the 5th, but Detroit (-111) pulled ahead 4-3 with a big bottom of the 5th. However, the Nats scored 1 in the top of the 8th to force extra innings, and it scored in the top of the 10th to win it 5-4 while officially cashing the Over (8) in the process.
Washington has won 4 in a row, matching a season high set in a 4-game sweep in Miami April 26-29. The Nats have won all 4 of the games in the current streak as underdogs, while the Over has hit in 3 in a row.
Detroit has dropped 4 of the past 5 games to slip 2 games under .500. The Tigers have allowed 5 or more runs in 4 of the past 5 games while conceding 71 runs in the past 14 games, or 5.1 runs per game. The Over has hit in 5 straight for the Tigers while going 11-3 across the past 14 outings dating back to May 26.
Nationals at Tigers projected starters
RHP Jake Irvin vs. RHP Reese Olson
Irvin (4-5, 3.12 ERA) makes his 13th start. He has a 1.03 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9 in 75 innings.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K in 2-1 home victory vs. Atlanta Braves Friday
- 2024 road splits: 3-1, 2.68 ERA (47 IP, 14 ER), 1.29 WHIP, .270 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 3 HR, 9 BB, 42 K in 8 starts
Olson (1-7, 3.43 ERA) makes his 13th start. He has a 1.20 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 8.0 K/9 in 65 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 4 IP, 8 ER, 12 H, 1 BB, 6 K in 10-0 home defeat vs. Milwaukee Brewers Friday
- 2024 home splits: 1-3, 2.84 ERA (31 2/3 IP, 10 ER), 1.11 WHIP, .227 OBA, 0 HR, 8 BB, 32 K in 5 starts
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Nationals at Tigers odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nationals +118 (bet $100 to win $118) | Tigers -138 (bet $138 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Nationals +1.5 (-184) | Tigers -1.5 (+152)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -108 | U: -104)
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Nationals at Tigers picks and predictions
Prediction
Nationals 4, Tigers 3
Moneyline
The NATIONALS (+118) are worth a look as short ‘dogs on the road in the middle game of this interleague series.
The Tigers (-138) have gotten decent pitching from Olson, but he has lost 7 of his 8 decisions despite the fact he has an ERA under 4. That’s because the run support for Olson has been non-existent. In fact, in Olson’s 12 starts, the Tigers have posted just 2.08 runs of support. That simply will not do.
Run line/Against the spread
The Nationals +1.5 (-184) are just a little too pricey if you’re not feeling Washington straight up and you’d like to get a little bit of insurance.
However, risking nearly 2 times your potential return is too much risk and not enough reward. If you like Washington, just bet it straight up.
PASS.
Over/Under
UNDER 7.5 (-104) is the lean; go with a half-unit play at most.
Again, we mentioned the lack of run support for Olson from the Tigers offense. Irvin hasn’t received much more offense from the Nats. Washington provides the right-hander with just 2.69 runs per game of offense in 13 starts to date.
Let’s lean low on the total, but be careful. Detroit has cashed high in 5 in a row and 11 of the past 14 outings.
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