Free MLB Picks Today: Oakland Athletics vs Washington Nationals 8/30/22

Two of the league’s lowest-scoring lineups are set to face off at Nationals Park on Tuesday as the Oakland Athletics (48-81) are on the road to face the Washington Nationals (43-85) to open a three-game Interleague series. The Athletics are kicking off a six-game road trip after wrapping up a 10-game homestand (5-5). They split their last series against the Yankees, taking the finale 4-1 on Sunday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Dermis Garcia was 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Stephen Vogt added a double, one run, and one RBI. The Nationals are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They lost two of three against the Reds in their last series, taking the finale 3-2 on Sunday at Nationals Park. Ildemaro Vargas went 1 for 3 with a solo home run.The teams are meeting for the first time since June 4, 2017, when the Nationals finished off a 2-1 series win with an 11-10 victory at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

ON THE MOUND

Zach Logue (3-8, 6.04 ERA) is set to get the start for Oakland. The LHP allowed two runs over 5.1 innings in his last start, a 5-3 road defeat against the Marlins on August 23. He was charged with the loss, giving up three hits while striking out seven. For Washington, right-hander Erick Fedde (5-8, 4.95 ERA) gets the start. In his last start on August 23, Fedde took the loss on the road against the Mariners. He threw five innings and gave up two runs on three hits, striking out six and walking one in the 4-2 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Oakland offense is averaging 3.4 runs per game for the season, second lowest in MLB, with a slash line of .215/.279/.342. Sean Murphy leads the team in OPS at .777. The catcher is slashing .254/.334/.443 with 16 home runs, 53 RBIs, and 53 runs over 117 games. Against right-handed pitchers like Fedde this season, the A’s have a .614 OPS, second lowest in MLB. Seth Brown is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .753 OPS in 323 at-bats. Washington is slashing .246/.311/.373 for the season and averaging 3.7 runs per game, fifth lowest in the league. Lane Thomas leads the team with a .689 OPS. The center fielder has 13 home runs, 40 RBIs, and 43 runs scored with a slash line of .239/.286/.402. Washington is averaging only 2.6 runs per game in the last five with their slash line dropping across the board (.225/.266/.350). The Nats have a .676 OPS against southpaws in 2022. With a .771 OPS over 133 at-bats, Nelson Cruz has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Oakland is 26-37 in away games in 2022, scoring 3.9 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. Washington has gone 20-46 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 3.7 runs per game while surrendering 5.3.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 34 games behind the division-leading Astros. The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, 38 games behind the Mets.