Memorial Day MLB Feature: The Battle of Washington

It is only right that for this Memorial Day today we take a look at the team from our nations capital. Today we have a matchup between the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals. Whenever you have two powerful offenses, a total under 10 (9), and one of the worst pitchers of the day starting (Alex Cobb) not a bad idea to take a look at betting the over.

Although Cobb has definitely had a better May than he April, he still has not been able to get his stuff together. In his last three starts he has allowed 3,3,6 runs and the totals for the game have been through the roof (13, 11, 12).

Although all batters have been able to get to Cobb .379 batting average, lefties have done superb against him as he opposing lefties have a .452/462/.753 slash line vs. him. It just so happens that the Nationals have the best hitting lefty in the game, in Bryce Harper. His average sits at a lowly .232 however, when he has been making contact opposing teams feel it, as he has left the park 16 times already on the year.

When Ryan Zimmerman went down with his injury the Nats were forced with a platoon of Matt Adams and Mark Reynolds, two vets who have been getting it done for a long time, and they have not disappointed at all. In just 119 at bats Adams has 12 homers and in just 29 at bats Reynolds has 5 homers. I look for this Nationals team to score early and often today, and as good as Gio Gonzalez has been for the Nats if he makes one or two mistakes look for the O’s to capitalize and leave the park once or twice.

Prediction: Baltimore Orioles/Washington Nationals over 9 runs.

Cleveland Indians starter Josh Tomlin just was not able to put anything together at any point this season, which led to his move to the bullpen. That made room for Adam Plutko to step into that role. Since entering this slot Plutko has had two very good starts. He is now 2-0 with 13.1 IP, only 3 runs allowed, a 10/4 SO/BB, and opposing batters are just hitting a meager .170 against him.

The Chicago White Sox are coming off of a very productive week where they hit 10 home runs, and hit almost .270 as a team. Right-handed batters have not been able to come close to touching Plutko managing just 3 hits in 28 at bats. The tribes batters should not have any trouble getting on base against Dylan Covey and should have no problem covering the 1.5 run line.

Prediction: Cleveland Indians -1.5 over the Chicago White Sox

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