MLB Baseball
2012-04-29 - Washington Nationals at LA Dodgers
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
United States: Major League Baseball
Sunday 29 April 2012 - First Pitch 4:10pm ET
9:10pm (British Standard Time)
Preview
The LA Dodgers (15-6) have won the first two games of the series with a little bit of luck on their side, but the Washington Nationals (14-7) will look to at least pick up one game before heading back home to face the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Washington actually led 3-1 in the final innings last night, but blew the game when Henry Rodriguez failed to get the close by throwing a wild pitch. The game ended up with the LA Dodgers winning in extra innings.
The Nationals will give the ball to Gio Gonzalez and hope he can continue his stellar start to the season. Gonzalez is 2-0 with a 1.52 ERA to open the season and he has now pitched through 20 innings without giving up a run, although this will be some test against the likes of Matt Kemp who has scored 11 Home Runs already this season.
Chris Capuano will look to build on his last start as he has opened the season with a 2-0 record and a 3.52 ERA and he gave up just 1 run in 7 innings against the Atlanta Braves. The problem for Capuano has been his command so far, offering up 11 walks in his 4 starts.
The pitcher has struggled in his 3 starts against the Nationals, going 1-2 with a 7.94 ERA. He gave up 8 runs in his two starts against them last season while splitting the games.
Head to Head
The Dodgers' win last night means they are now 6-1 in the last 7 in the series against the Nationals.
LA have won their last 4 at home against Washington and they are now 6-1 in the last 7 at home.
Prediction
Again I am only going to have the smallest of interests in this game and I will take the Washington Nationals to pick up a little bit of pride by winning this game on the run line before heading home.
Washington don't score a heavy load of runs, but they have had success against Chris Capuano in their 3 games against the left hander, while they will be hoping Gio Gonzalez can continue limiting his opponents.
The run line has been priced at 2.60, something that looks like it has a little bit of value if Gonzalez is pitching as he has been in 2012.
The Pick :
LA Dodgers 1-3 Washington Nationals
