Reds vs Nationals Betting Preview: Surprising NL Central Leaders

The Cincinnati Reds travel to the nation’s capital for a four-game series beginning Monday. The Reds look to take advantage of Washington’s dismal play at home. The Reds vs Nationals betting preview notes the Washington Nationals are a National League worst 13-27 at home. Only Oakland and Kansas City have worse home records in Major League Baseball.

The Reds were languishing near the bottom of the MLB division standings until June. When the Cincinnati Reds baseball schedule became favorable, the team was quick to take advantage. Cincinnati reeled off 12 straight victories, coming against the Cardinals, Royals, Rockies and Astros. Houston didn’t throw it’s top three pitchers against the Reds and Cincinnati capitalized.

The Reds are hitting the ball. Cincinnati ranks No. 9 in MLB in team batting average and have scored the seventh-most runs of any MLB team. The Reds don’t hit for power, with the team’s 88 home runs No. 22 in baseball.

It’s on the mound where the Reds have their problems. The team ERA is 4.98, which is No. 27 in baseball. The Reds are No. 2 in saves, so if they can it to the closers, they’ve been able to deliver. Reds pitchers have given up the fourth-highest number of walks.

The Nationals are 21-22 on the road. But that 13-27 home record is taking its toll. If the Nats were just 20-20 at home, they’d be 4.5 games back in the wild card race.

Washington is No.29 in team batting average and No. 25 in runs scored. Washington’s 68 home runs are No. 29 in MLB. Mixed with a pitching staff that is No. 26 in team ERA and 23 of 39 in save opportunities, it’s a wonder Washington is 34-49. That Nationals are just 11-30 when playing teams with a record of .500 or better.

Monday’s Game

The Reds vs Nationals betting preview has Luke Weaver and Jake Irvin as the scheduled starters. The Reds are -123 and the total is 10.5-under (-115). Weaver has pitched poorly this season. But the offense has bailed him out on several occasions. Weaver is 1-2 with a 6.96 ERA. But the Reds are 7-5 when he starts, scoring 5.42 runs per game and allowing 5.50. The Reds have allowed 30 runs in Weavers last five starts. The Reds have won all five.

Irvin is 1-4 with a 4.72 ERA. Washington has gone 3-7 when starts, but the Nationals are 1-6 in his home starts. The team has allowed five runs or more in those six losses.

Both teams hit left-handers a little better than they do right-handed starters and Washington scores just 3.6 runs at home. The Nationals are 19-20-1 in home totals. Weaver hasn’t pitched well recently but the Reds are winning, which is the bottom line. The Reds are a better team and the price is reasonable. Take the Nationals as one of your best mlb bets today.

Tuesday’s Game

The Reds haven’t named a starter for this game. The Nationals are going to give the ball to Patrick Corbin, so expect the Reds to be around -125. Graham Ashcraft has followed Weaver in the rotation his past two starts, but Ashcraft is slated to start Wednesday. The Reds have several options here, although none of them look particularly promising.

Corbin is 5-9 with a 4.84 ERA. Washington is 8-9 when Corbin starts and 4-5 in his home starts. That means he’s won 30.7% of the Nationals’ home games. He hasn’t really pitched all that bad this season, although his numbers aren’t the greatest. He’ll be tested by a Cincinnati team that is 16-11 against left-handed starters, scoring 5.3 runs game. Cincinnati hasn’t been quite as good on the road against southpaws. The Reds are 5-9, scoring 4.14 runs per game. But Cincinnati is 9-5 in totals. The total here will be close to 10.5, but the over could be worth a look.

Wednesday’s Game

The Reds vs Nationals betting preview has Ashcraft slated to go against Josiah Gray in this one. After a strong start to the season, Ashcraft simply hasn’t pitched well. The Reds won four of his first six starts, but are 3-6 in his last nine. Cincinnati is 10-5 in totals when he starts and 4-2 in road totals.

Gray has pitched well this season, going 6-6 with a 3.30 ERA. He’s one pitcher the Dodgers would like to have back. Washington has won five of his last seven starts. But his away numbers are better than what he’s done at home. The Nationals are 8-9 he starts, but haven’t given him much support. Washington dropped his first four starts of the year, scoring a total of one run. It’s gotten a little better since then. The Nationals are scoring 3.71 runs per game when he starts.

Gray is a better pitcher than Ashcraft, but the Reds are a better team overall. This one could be worth taking a look at the under if the number is 9. The Reds vs Nationals matchup guarantees an exhilarating clash between two formidable teams.

Thursday’s Game

Brandon Williamson is slated to start for the Reds against Washington’s MacKenzie Gore. Williamson is another pitcher who has been carried by the Cincinnati offense. He’s 1-2 with a 5.56 ERA but the Reds are 6-3 when he starts. Totals have gone 5-4 with Williamson on the mound. The Reds have dropped his last two starts, allowing 10 or more runs both games.

Gore’s last start was a disaster, with the Nationals losing to the Phillies 19-4. He allowed seven runs in 2 2/3 innings, making it his worst start of the season. The Nationals are 5-12 when he starts and 1-6 when he starts at home. Washington scores just 2.29 runs for Gore at home. Williamson is no bargain, but the Reds could be the way to go in this one as long as the line is close to even.

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