MLB Betting Picks: Washington Nationals at Arizona Diamondbacks

Added on Aug 12, 2012 by Jack Thurman in

MLB

The Washington Nationals are getting a challenge in their quest for the NL East title from one of the ‘usual suspects’–the Atlanta Braves. So far, however, it appears to have brought out the best in the upstart Washingtonians. The Braves have started playing their best baseball of the season in the past six weeks but the Nationals have responded in kind and enter this game having won 8 straight and nine of their last ten. There had been some hope that Atlanta could pick up a game or two with Washington on the road facing a decent Arizona team but that hasn’t been the case.

Washington Nationals at Arizona Diamondbacks
August 12, 2012 1:10 PM Pacific

There’s an old saying that “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” and that’s going to be our premise in handicapping Sunday’s game between the Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks. Right now the Nationals are clicking on all cylinders despite a late season slump by rookie phenom Bryce Harper. Since the first of July Washington has posted a record of 27-11 and will want to bank a victory here as they head to San Francisco on Monday for a tough set of games against the NL West leading Giants.

The D-Backs will start talented lefthander Pat Corbin who has turned in decent work in his first six starts. He’s got a 4.12 ERA overall but an excellent 2.19 ERA at home. His last three starts have been even better with a 2.08 ERA and the D-Backs winning 2 of those three games. Worth noting, however, that those victories came against weak hitting opponents (Los Angeles twice, Pittsburgh) and this matchup probably won’t be quite as easy. Washington has had decent success against left handers this year (22-13 +6.1 units).

Washington will counter with one of the more ‘unsung’ pitchers in their loaded rotation, southpaw Ross Detwiler. Detwiler has a 2.99 ERA on the season and Washington has won 11 of his 16 starts this year. He’s been a little more vulnerable on the road, but could get a boost facing the Diamondbacks. Arizona has essentially ‘treaded water’ against southpaws this year posting a 22-20 record for a small -1.2 unit loss. Washington has really gotten the better of Arizona this season winning 4 of 5 overall and both meetings in the desert. Given the visitors torrid form and the pressure of the Atlanta Braves in the rear view mirror we’ll gladly back them as small underdogs here.

Bet Washington Nationals (Detwiler) +105 over Arizona Diamondbacks (Corbin)