Nationals vs Mariners Preview: DC Aims for 3rd Win

Seattle Looks to Keep Winning Against the Washington Nationals

The last time Seattle traveled to Washington, the Mariners took all three games and held the Nationals to seven runs in the first sweep against the Nationals since 2004 when the franchise was located in Montreal. The Nationals vs Mariners preview favor the Mariners in Monday’s series opener.

When analyzing the Major League Baseball standings, Seattle is 21-17 at home this season. Seventeen of Washington’s 30 wins this season have come on the road.

Washington is 15th and Seattle 19th in slugging percentage in the month of June. When looking at today’s MLB best bets, can either offense be expected to break out?

Seattle (+5000) is tied for 16th in the odds to win the World Series. Washington is one of four MLB teams tied at +100000 in the championship odds.

Probable Starting Pitchers

• Monday: Trevor Williams (Nationals); Luis Castillo (Mariners)
• Tuesday: Jake Irvin (Nationals); Bryan Woo (Mariners)
• Wednesday: Patrick Corbin (Nationals); Logan Gilbert (Mariners)

Nationals Look to Keep it Going

It has been a strange month for the Nationals as they have allowed nine, 10 and 13 runs in games played in June but also held the defending World Series champion Houston Astros to one run in the series finale, gave up two runs against the National League-leading Braves to avoid a three-game sweep and posted shutout wins in two of the last five games.

Washington held San Diego to two hits in 11 at-bats with runners in scoring position to take the last two games and win the series. When looking at the Nationals vs Mariners preview, can the Washington pitching staff keep it going?

Four of Washington’s last five games against American League teams have finished over the total. The total is set for 8 in the series opener.

Ford Going Deep for Mariners

So who had journeyman outfielder Mike Ford leading the Seattle Mariners in home runs during the month of June?

Ford had a pair of games with two home runs. In between going deep in a June 15 win over Miami and Sunday’s extra-inning loss to Baltimore, he had no extra-base hits.

Six of Ford’s eight hits this season have been home runs. Ford, who is in his second stint with the Mariners, has the most home runs since hitting 12 in 50 games as a rookie in 2019 with the New York Yankees. Seattle has 27 home runs in June so keep that in mind when looking at the Nationals vs Mariners preview.

Four of the last six MLB matchups for Seattle versus National League teams finished over the total.

Who’s Hot

• Matt Brash, Seattle Mariners P: Brash has allowed five hits and no runs with 11 strikeouts over 7.1 innings in his last eight outings.
• Jeimer Candelario, Washington Nationals 3B: Candelario is hitting .371 with seven doubles, two home runs and eight runs over his last nine games
• Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners C: Raleigh 6-17, five runs, two home runs and four RBIs in his last four games.
• Mason Thompson, Washington Nationals: Thompson has allowed a run in his last nine outings. He has surrendered four hits and struck out 10 batters in 9.2 innings during that stretch.

Who’s Not

• Chris Flexen, Seattle Mariners P: Flexen has allowed 18 hits, five home runs and 13 runs over 8.2 innings in his last five appearances.
• Jarred Kelenic, Seattle Mariners OF: Has one hit in his last 15 at-bats over the last four games with seven strikeouts.
• Keibert Ruiz, Washington Nationals C: Ruiz has been held without a hit in five of his last six games as his batting average has fallen from .240 to .227.
• Thaddeus Ward, Washington Nationals P: Ward has given up 11 hits, two home runs and eight runs in 6.1 innings over his last four games.

Mariners vs Nationals Injury Update

Washington recently put pitcher Carl Edwards Jr. (shoulder) and outfielder Victor Robles on the injured list while catcher Israel Pineda is expected back by early July.

For Seattle relief pitcher Andres Munoz is questionable for Monday’s series opener due to illness. Pitchers Marco Gonzalez and Trevor Gott could return early next month.

Mariners vs Nationals Betting Preview

Luis Castillo looks to get the Mariners off to a strong start in the series. However, the last time he faced the Nationals, he allowed six hits and five runs with four walks in 6.1 innings. He will be opposed in the series opener by Trevor Williams. Williams is coming off his best start of the MLB season as he allowed five hits and no runs as he matched his season-high with six innings pitched against the St. Louis Cardinals the last time out.

Five of the last six games between the Mariners and Nationals finished under the total with each of the last five meetings being decided by either one or two runs.

Seattle is 28-22 when listed as the favorite with Washington 28-46 as the underdog. The Nationals have been favored just twice during the 2023 season.

Washington has covered in 26 of the 37 road games this season, one of the best marks in the majors. Seattle is 16-22 against the spread at home this season.

For MLB betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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