The Los Angeles Dodgers (32-22), one of the top lineups in MLB, are set to host the Washington Nationals (23-30) at Dodger Stadium on Monday to open a three-game series. The Nationals are in the midst of a six-game road trip.
They won two out of three in their last series against the Royals, dropping the finale 3-2 on Sunday at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Dominic Smith was 2 for 3 with one run. Michael Chavis added one RBI on two hits.
The Dodgers are playing the first of six games at home after returning from a 10-game road trip (4-6). They lost two of three against the Rays in their last series, dropping the finale 11-10 on Sunday at Tropicana Field.
Chris Taylor went 3 for 3 with two home runs and three runs. Trayce Thompson also went 3 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the teams split their six games (3-3), although the Nationals won two out of three in their most recent meeting at Dodger Stadium in July.
ON THE MOUND
Trevor Williams (2-2, 4.32 ERA) is set to take the mound for Washington. The right-hander allowed three runs over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 5-3 road win over the Padres on Wednesday. He got the win, scattering three hits while striking out five and walking three.
Williams made one start against the Dodgers in 2022, a 5-4 road victory for the Mets on June 5. He surrendered two runs on six hits over five innings, striking out five. Righty Bobby Miller (1-0, 1.80 ERA) will toe the rubber for Los Angeles.
In his last start on Tuesday, Miller got the win on the road against the Braves. He threw five innings and gave up one run on four hits, striking out five and walking one in the 8-1 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The Washington offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .267/.330/.389. Lane Thomas leads the team in OPS at .814. The center fielder is slashing .289/.347/.467 with eight home runs, 26 RBIs, and 34 runs over 52 games.
Over the last five games, however, Washington has averaged 5.8 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.289/.379/.422). Against right-handed pitchers like Miller this season, the Nats have a .681 OPS. Jeimer Candelario is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .824 OPS in 130 at-bats.
Los Angeles is slashing .237/.327/.449 for the season and averaging 5.5 runs per game, third best in MLB. Four Dodgers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Freddie Freeman (.978).
The first baseman has nine home runs, 32 RBIs, and 44 runs scored with a slash line of .333/.412/.567. The Dodgers have a .790 OPS against right-handers in 2023, second highest in the league. With a .977 OPS over 144 at-bats, Freeman also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Washington is 12-13 in away games in 2023, scoring 5.0 runs per game while allowing 4.2 runs. Los Angeles has gone 17-7 at their home park this season, averaging 5.7 runs per game while surrendering 3.1. Los Angeles is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the teams at Dodger Stadium with an average scoreline of 4.1-2.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, eight games behind the division-leading Braves. The Dodgers lead the NL West by two games over the Diamondbacks.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
LA Dodgers -1.5 (-125)
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