On Thursday night, the Washington Nationals will travel to Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers in the series opener of a four-game series. The Nationals were just swept by the Brewers and are now 14-22 on the season. They have lost four straight and eight of their last 10. The Dodgers are coming off a sweep of the Braves and have won three in a row and seven of their last 10.
The Nationals lost by a score of 6-0 on Wednesday. Stephen Strasburg had another average outing, going 6 2/3 innings and allowing four runs on six hits and two walks but struck out 11. The bullpen gave up two runs in 1 1/3 innings on two hits and three walks with one strikeout. The bats were quiet as the Nationals were only able to gather five hits, none for extra bases. Victor Robles led the way, going 2 for 4. Adam Eaton and Michael A. Taylor were both 1 for 4, while Stephen Strasburg tallied the other hit.
The Dodgers are coming off another solid all-around performance, a 9-4 win on Wednesday. Clayton Kershaw did enough to keep them in it. He went 6 2/3, allowing four runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out 4. The bullpen was great, allowing just two hits and no walks or runs in 2 1/3 innings and three strikeouts. Max Muncy led the Dodger offense, going 3 for 5 with a home run and 2 RBI. Kike Hernandez and Justin Turner each hit 2-run homers, their only hits of the game. Alex Verdugo had a 2 for 4 night with an RBI, and Austin Barnes went 1 for 3 with a double.
Nationals Turn To Corbin
Patrick Corbin will be on the bump for Washington on Thursday. He is 2-1 with a 3.71 ERA in 7 starts this season and has a 1.12 WHIP with 50 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings. Last year with Arizona he went 11-7 with a 3.15 ERA in 33 starts.
The Nationals players have combined for just 28 at-bats off Dodgers starter Rich Hill but are hitting .357 off him. Ryan Zimmermann is 6 for 11 with two homers and a double but is injured. The rest of the team is 4 for 17 off Hill which is not great. Adam Eaton and Anthony Rendon (home run) are both 1 for 1, and Howie Kendrick and Kurt Suzuki have the other hits.
Hill Takes The Ball
Rich Hill will be making his third start of the season for the Dodgers after starting the season on the IL. He has not had a decision and has a 3.60 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with nine strikeouts in 10 innings. Last year Hill went 11-5 with a 3.66 ERA in 24 starts.
The Dodgers have faced Corbin a lot during his time in Arizona. They are hitting .245 off him in 139 combined at-bats. Justin Turner is 12 for 29 with two home runs and three doubles. Austin Barnes is 3 for 10 with two home runs, while Cody Bellinger is 2 for 7 with a double. The rest of the guys have struggled. Corey Seager is just 4 for 23, and Kike Hernandez is just 4 for 25.
Dodgers Win Opener
The Dodgers are -150. Even though Corbin has gotten the best of most of the Dodger hitters over the years, these two teams are heading in completely opposite directions. The Nationals have lost 8 of 10 and are battling some major injuries. The Dodgers have won 7 of 10 and are playing some of their best baseball.
Rich Hill will do just enough in this one, and the bats will do what they always do en route to a Dodger victory. Take the Dodgers -150.
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