The Nationals are in a free fall, having lost 15 of their last 20 games. However, Washington did earn a 15-9 win over the Angels last night. Los Angeles, at 40-41, remains in contention for a playoff spot in the top-heavy American League. Which of these two squads will earn a victory in this inter-league contest? Below, I’ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for Saturday’s battle between the Nationals and Angels.
The Angels enter as favorites (-122) over the Nationals, with the over/under set at 9.5 runs. Let’s break down which side has the edge on DraftKings Sportsbook going into tonight’s contest.
Nationals vs. Angels prediction, preview
Let’s be honest; this isn’t the most exciting matchup on Saturday’s loaded MLB slate. However, there’s still some intrigue in this matchup, especially for the home team. Despite missing face of the franchise Mike Trout for much of the year, Los Angeles finds itself just two games back from the playoffs. Surprisingly, the Angels only rank 16th in runs scored (4.28) and 24th in runs allowed (4.93) per game. Still, there is some talent worth mentioning on this roster.
After a rough start, Trout has begun to turn things around. Since May 20th, the three-time MVP has slashed .289/.425/.400 with three home runs and 12 RBIs. Outside of the outfielder, six different Angels regulars have notched a wRC+ of at least 100. The bigger challenge for Los Angeles will be on the mound. Veteran Kyle Hendricks hasn’t had the best season, posting a lackluster 4.83 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. However, it’s not as if the Nationals have been raking. Since June 1st, Washington has notched the league’s fifth-fewest runs (93) and seventh-lowest OPS (.677).
To make matters worse for the Nationals, quality pitching has been tough to come by all season. That includes offseason pickup Michael Soroka; despite his stellar 1.09 WHIP, the right-hander owns a 5.06 ERA. The biggest culprit for that mark? A whopping 1.7 HR/9 rate, 16th-worst in the league. That’s not ideal heading into Saturday’s showdown in SoCal; the Angels have hit baseball’s third-most home runs (121). In addition, Soroka has accounted for an astronomical 5.93 ERA on the road this season.
Nationals vs. Angels pick, best bet
Best Bet: Angels ML (-122)
After coughing up 15 runs last night, it’s tough to trust Angels pitching. With that being said, the Nats have looked off for most of June. Soroka’s road struggles, combined with a homer-happy lineup, should set LA up for a win on Saturday.
