Ken Waldichuk is in line for his first start of the season as the Oakland Athletics (-210) match up against the Washington Nationals (+175) at Nationals Park on Thursday with the three-game Interleague series in the balance. The early total was set at 8 (O: +100 | U: -120).The Nationals (44-86) evened the series 1-1 after winning 5-1 on Wednesday. Anibal Sanchez went seven innings, allowing one run on three hits, to get the win. Luis Garcia went 2 for 4 with a double and one RBI in the win. Dermis Garcia was 1 for 2 with a solo home run for the Athletics (49-82).
ON THE MOUND
Waldichuk is in line to take the mound for Oakland, his season debut.For Washington, right-hander Paolo Espino (0-6, 4.35 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Athletics. In his last start on Saturday, Espino took the loss at home against the Reds. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up three runs on seven hits, striking out four, in the 6-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Oakland has averaged 4.0 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 3.4. Against right-handed pitchers like Espino this season, the A’s have a .619 OPS, second lowest in MLB. Seth Brown is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .746 OPS in 327 at-bats.Washington is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five, consistent with their season average. The Nats have a .681 OPS against southpaws in 2022. With a .753 OPS over 134 at-bats, Nelson Cruz has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Oakland is 27-38 away from home in 2022, scoring 4.0 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Washington has gone 21-47 at home this season, averaging 3.7 runs per game while surrendering 5.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 35 games behind the division-leading Astros. The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, 38 games behind the Mets.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Oakland Athletics (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
