The Washington Nationals and Cincinnati Reds will continue their weekend series on Friday night in our Nation’s capital. Washington stayed hot in the series opener, defeating the Reds 10-4 on Thursday night. The Reds will try to bounce back on Friday night, but face a tough task against the surging Nationals.
The Reds are in last place in the National League Central, but appear to have a bright future ahead. The Reds avoided trading away a large chunk of their roster at the trade deadline, and should contend in 2019. The Nationals are trying to salvage the 2018 season, and are getting close to getting back into the playoff race. Washington is -170 over Cincinnati on Friday night.
Bet on Major League Baseball at our favorite sportsbook — 5Dimes
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are starting to heat up, and so is their superstar Bryce Harper. The 2018 Home Run Derby champion has been much better at the plate for the Nationals. Harper is hitting .359 with a 1.172 OPS since the All-Star Break, and he is getting his team back into the playoff race. Washington trails the Phillies by just five games in the NL East, well within striking distance.
Lefty Gio Gonzalez will make the start for the Nationals on Friday night. Gonzalez has had a great career for Washington, but has had an up and down 2018 season. He sports a 3.78 earned run average, but comes in with a 6-7 record on the season. The veteran will be trying to snap his own five-game losing streak by earning a victory on Friday night.
Reds Building For Future
The Cincinnati Reds are trying to position themselves to be competitive in future years. The Reds have shown a ton of improvement this year, and will play the role of spoiler in the final two months of the season. Eugenio Suarez has blasted 25 homers and driven in 83 runs this season for the Reds. His 83 RBI’s is tied for the lead in the National League with Javier Baez. The Cincy offense can score with the best of them.
Putting together a solid pitching staff has been a struggle for the Reds in recent years, and this season is no different. Anthony DeSclafani will make the start on Friday night, looking to shut down a red hot Nationals offense. The righty is 4-3 this season, but brings a 5.47 ERA into this start.
Nationals Stay Hot, Beat Reds
The Reds offense is capable of carrying the team, but face a tough matchup against Gonzalez on Friday. Cincinnati was unable to get anything going against Max Scherzer in the series opener, and the trend should continue into the weekend. The Reds will be a pest to many playoff contenders the rest of the season, but the Nationals are playing too well right now.
Bryce Harper is finally starting to heat up and look like the former MVP. Washington still has a great chance of winning the NL East, but they need to rack up wins in a hurry. Take the Nationals -170 over the Reds on Friday night.
- Bet on the Washington Nationals -170
- Earn up to $520 in bonuses at 5Dimes.
- Bet on the Cincinnati Reds +145
- Get your 50% welcome bonus for betting at Bovada
100% up to $3,000 Bonus
Bovada is our most recommended ONLINE CASINO and POKER ROOM for US players with excellent deposit options. Get your 100% signup bonus today.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.