StatFox.com - Sports Handicapping Community

The Leader In Sports Handicapping

Struggling Orioles host Nats on Monday
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox
Published: 8/22/2016  at  11:30:00 AM
  Print This Article    

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (73-50)

at BALTIMORE ORIOLES (67-56)

First pitch: Monday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Line: Washington -125, Baltimore +115, Total: 9.0

Two of the league’s elite teams meet when the Orioles host the Nationals on Monday.

The Nationals are coming off of a 7-6 loss in extra innings against the Braves on Sunday, but the team has still won three of its past four games heading into this meeting with Baltimore. Washington currently sits atop the NL East and it would take a drastic turnaround from the teams behind them in order to change that. Baltimore, meanwhile, is in a battle with both Toronto and Boston for the top spot in the AL East. The Orioles have really struggled coming into this game, losing three straight and five of their past six. They’ll be hoping to turn things around with a home win in this one. The starters in this big interleague battle are set to be RHP A.J. Cole (0-0, 5.79 ERA, 9 K) for Washington and RHP Dylan Bundy (6-4, 3.36 ERA, 70 K) for Baltimore. The Orioles are going to be confident coming into this game, as they are an impressive 24-9 against the money line in home games after one or more consecutive UNDERS on the year. They are, however, 19-29 against the money line in August games over the past two seasons.

The Nationals are playing well coming into this game, but things aren't going to be easy in this one. Stephen Strasburg was supposed to be the starter for the team, but he was put on the 15-day DL with elbow soreness. Now Cole is going to be starting for Washington and he has been mediocre in the minors thus far. Offensively, OF Bryce Harper (.246, 22 HR, 68 RBI) has started to come alive for the Nationals recently. He has seen his average rise from .235 to .246 over the past 10 games, and he has now racked up two homers and 12 RBI in that time. It’d be big for Washington if he can produce at the plate in this one as well. The Nats will also be counting on 2B Daniel Murphy (.346, 23 HR, 89 RBI) in this one. Murphy has been one of the best hitters in baseball this season and has two homers and eight RBI over the past 10 games.

The Orioles are struggling right now and they’re hoping that Dylan Bundy can help them turn things around by outdueling Strasburg on Monday night. Bundy has been outstanding since earning a full-time spot in this rotation, but he is coming off of a rough start against the Red Sox on Aug. 17. Bundy pitched just 4.1 innings in that game and gave up five earned runs on nine hits. It was, however, just the second time he allowed more than three earned runs in the past 10 games. If he can turn in a quality start in this game then the Orioles will have a very good shot of winning. The guy to watch out for in this Baltimore lineup right now is OF Mark Trumbo (.255, 37 HR, 90 RBI). There are a ton of dangerous hitters in this Orioles lineup, but Trumbo is a threat to go yard every time he gets up to the plate and has now hit six homers in the past 10 contests. He can change any game with one swing of the bat and he’ll be hoping to make an impact in this one on Monday.


FoxSheets.com
The FoxSheets - the most advanced sports handicapping information available on the internet.
Sign up for professional sports betting information including fantastic trends, and Free FoxSheets.
E-mail: