Orioles vs Nationals Betting: Burnes Favored on Road
Opening Game With Solid Pitching Matchup
The Baltimore Orioles visit Washington for a brief two-game series beginning Tuesday. The Orioles are in first place in the AL East and have won four straight games. The Nationals are in third place in the NL East. The starters for Tuesday are scheduled to be Corbin Burnes and Trevor Williams. It’s one of the best pitching matchups in today’s MLB games. The Orioles vs Nationals betting sees Baltimore as -230 favorites in the opening game. The total on the game is 8.5 (over -122).
The Orioles aren’t taking anybody by surprise this season, but have gotten off to a solid start. Baltimore is No. 8 in team batting and leads the league in home runs. The Orioles go to the plate swinging. Only the White Sox have fewer walks and as a result, the Orioles are No. 16 in on-base percentage. The Orioles are averaging 5.3 runs per game, trailing only the Dodgers.
Baltimore is getting the job done on the mound, as well. The Orioles are No. 5 in team ERA, as three of the top five teams are from the AL East. The Orioles’ bullpen hasn’t been the greatest with 11 saves in 18 opportunities.
The Nationals are No. 21 in team batting, but No. 15 in on-base percentage. Washington is tied at No. 13 in walks, so the Nationals are finding ways to get on base. The Nationals are just No. 22 in home runs and No. 18 in runs scored at 4.2 per game.
The pitching staff hasn’t been that impressive. The Nationals are No. 20 in team ERA and No. 27 in team WHIP. Opponents are hitting .271 against Washington pitchers, which is second-worst in baseball. The pitching staff will have to play better since the offense isn’t scoring a lot.
Orioles vs Nationals 
Records: Baltimore Orioles (23-11), Washington Nationals (17-17)
Location: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
Day/Time:
Streaming: MASN
Tuesday’s Game
The Orioles vs Nationals betting line of Baltimore -230 is a bit higher than you would expect. Baltimore is 5-2 when Burnes starts and they’ve been favored all seven games. The Orioles won both of his road starts and he hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any start this year.
The Nationals are 5-1 when Williams starts this season, but he hasn’t thrown more than six innings in a start. Williams has allowed two runs over his last 16 innings and given up three runs once. Every other start has seen him allow two or fewer. He’s pitched well at home or away and there isn’t much difference in his stats.
The MLB betting lines are this one are a bit too high. Williams doesn’t deserve to be such a high underdog, although the Orioles should definitely be favored. For a value play, you could do a lot worse than taking Washington +190 in this one, although it’s not easy to do.
Wednesday’s Game
The Orioles vs Nationals betting odds should see the Orioles as smaller favorites in this one. Kyle Bradish is listed as the starting pitcher for Baltimore, while Washington will start Mitchell Parker. Bradish is making just his second start of the season. He allowed one run in 4 2/3 innings against the Yankees on May 2. Bradish, along with John Means, both missed time with arm injuries in spring training, but have returned. That will help an already solid Baltimore staff.
Parker has pitched well and the Nationals are 3-1 when he starts this year. The Orioles are 10-4 against left-handed pitchers this season, so will probably be overpriced here. Parker hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any of his four starts but also hasn’t pitched more than 5 1/3 innings but one time. You always have to worry about the Washington relief pitchers.
From a value standpoint, this one could lend itself to an under play if the total comes out at 8.5 or higher. It wouldn’t be a huge wager, but could be used in your MLB picks and parlays for the day.
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