MLB Baseball
2012-04-26 - Washington Nationals at San Diego Padres
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Baseball : North America : MLB
Thursday, April 26th, 2012, 10:05PM US
(3:05AM GMT)
PREVIEW
Last night Washington won their series in San Diego by beating the Padres 7-2. They had previously won the opener 3-1 the night before. The brooms are out tonight and I believe the sweep is on.
As I noted yesterday, the Nationals pitching team have done a stonking job so far. Arguably the best bunch of pitchers in MLB on current form. You'd have to fancy them here against the team with the worst record in baseball! Gio Gonzalez and Edwin Jackson came into this team before the season started, and Gonzalez has already helped win Game 1 by pitching a beaut, now it's Jacksons turn.
Washington have not lost a series this season, including this one, and to get the sweep they will hand the ball to Edwin Jackson, who is 1-1 with a 4.26ERA. So far batters are averaging just .188 against him. He pitched a complete game against Cincinnati, giving up 1 run in the win, but took the loss after giving up 5 to Houston. He has a 0-3 record against San Diego with a 5.40ERA.
The San Diego Padres counter with Edinson Volquez, who is 0-2 with a 4.30ERA. Last season he was not good at all, getting demoted out of the majors but he has been better this year, although his team just cannot seem to help out with runs. San Diego may get a decent performance out of him but unless they start pitching well, they have no chance. The Padres are currently batting .211 as a team, worst in MLB, and have scored a total of just 63 runs in 19 games! San Diego average 3.32 per game but at home that gets worse, dropping to 2.77. That won't do.
Washington do not have a smoking offence but they got production yesterday, including hits from pitcher Jordan Zimmerman. Tom Gorzelanny and him both drove in runs yesterday as the Washington Nats batted .289, scoring 7 despite the lack of a homer. For the record, Washington have allowed just 4 homers this season. Thats 7 less than the next best team.
San Diego have lost their last 5 meetings at home against the Nationals.
BETTING VERDICT
Take Washington to win this one.
The Pick :
Washington Nationals
