Dodgers vs Nationals Looks to be Low-Scoring Pitchers’ Duel

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The Los Angeles Dodgers continue a series at the surging Washington Nationals on Friday night, and it’s scheduled to be a terrific pitching matchup between young Dodgers lefty Julio Urias and three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer of the Nationals. It’s nearly a pick’em on the MLB odds.

How to Bet Dodgers at Nationals MLB Odds & TV Info

When: Friday, 7:05 PM ET
Where: Nationals Park
Probable pitchers (away/home): Julio Urias/Max Scherzer
TV: MLB Network; MLB Extra Innings
Stream/gameday audio: https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/

Why Bet on Los Angeles?

The Dodgers have transferred shortstop and former NL Rookie of the Year and World Series MVP Corey Seager from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. That sounds bad but it’s really just procedural. Seager has hit a plateau in his recovery from the fractured right hand that sent him to the 10-day IL back in mid-May. He won’t be ready for activation until after the All-Star break.

Closer Kenley Jansen has been lights out this season in which he has posted a 1.38 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP and 20 saves in 22 chances. The key has been an effective slider to offset his cutter — off a grip suggested to him by former Dodgers pitcher and current broadcaster Orel Hershiser.

It’s lefty Julio Urias on the mound here. Urias (9-3) had 12 strikeouts while taking a no-decision after 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball last Saturday against the Cubs. The 12 strikeouts marked a career-best for Urias, who has now notched four contests of double-digit whiffs in 16 starts this season. Anthony Rizzo knocked him for a solo home run in the fourth and Ian Happ notched an RBI double in the fifth for the two runs allowed.

The 24-year-old’s innings count is being limited throughout the year, as he was pulled after 84 pitches. After completing seven innings and four out of his first eight starts, he has completed six innings just once dating back to May 23. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has downplayed fatigue as a factor.

Still, last Saturday was a big bounce-back performance after he allowed six runs to the Padres in his previous outing. The long ball remains to be an issue for Urias he has allowed at least one homer in seven straight outings. He has a 3.95 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 107/18 K/BB ratio in 93 1/3 innings this year.

Urias has more double-digit strikeout games this year than Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler. Urias also is the only starter to have two games with six earned runs.

Why Bet on Washington?

Monitor the status of Nats star shortstop Trea Turner, who jammed his left middle finger during Wednesday’s game. Manager Dave Martinez stated that Turner jammed his finger “pretty good” and would be day-to-day. Turner tied the major league record by hitting for the cycle during the game, his third time reaching the feat during his career.

Three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer is on the mound. Scherzer (7-4) recorded seven strikeouts over six innings last Sunday in a win over the Marlins. Scherzer generated 21 swinging strikes, including 10 on his fastball, and finished with a 35 percent CSW (called strikes plus whiffs). He allowed only three batted balls with an exit velocity over 95 mph. The right-hander gave up a leadoff triple followed by a one-out double in the bottom of the first inning, but the Nationals put four runs on the board in the top of the sixth to put him in line for the win.

Scherzer would labor early, needing 41 pitches to complete his first two innings, but it didn’t take long for him to find his groove. He completed his next three frames on a total of 34 pitches.

“Innings three, four, five were big,” he said. “Just to be able to go out there and throw strikes. The pitch count was running a little bit high and I had to get that back under control. I also feel like that’s a momentum thing. The more often I can have quick innings and get our hitters back, it keeps them in rhythm at the plate. When they’re at the bat rack, they always feel good.”

Scherzer has earned wins in three of his last four appearances, and he’s posted a 1.42 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 19 innings during that time. The 36-year-old righty has completed at least five innings while allowing two earned runs or fewer, in 12 of his 15 starts this season. He has 2.14 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 119/20 K/BB ratio across 88 1/3 innings (15 starts).