Toronto Blue Jays at Washington Nationals Betting Preview
The Toronto Blue Jays and Washington Nationals have not lived up to expectations so far this season, with both teams being at or near the bottom of the standings in their divisions.
But in playing against another underachieving side, both teams have a genuine chance to pick up some victories this week. On Tuesday, both squads look to start on the right foot in the series opener.
Blue Jays Losing Winnable Games
It has been a strange season for the Toronto Blue Jays, as they have the best-run differential in the American League East yet find themselves in fourth place in the division. They are eight games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays and are running out of time to make a challenge for the Wild Card race. And the inconsistent play has been the reason for the Blue Jays’ issues this season.
Over the last week, the Blue Jays have lost three of their last four games, dropping contests to the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels before beating Seattle in their series finale. The problem here is that the Blue Jays have some explosive bats, but they haven’t had consistent pitching performances to keep up with those bats. Against Washington, the Jays will hope that Alek Manoah can continue to be the exception to that rule and improve to 6-1 on the year.
Washington On a Huge Slide
The Washington Nationals are free-falling in the National League, having lost their last seven games. To rub salt in the wound, the Nationals have lost all seven of those games against division opponents, dropping four games to the Atlanta Braves and three to the New York Mets over that span. They will hope that getting some games out of the division will help end their losing streak.
Erick Fedde will be tasked with starting this game for the Nationals, and he has a tall task ahead of him, having to face the potent Blue Jays lineup. Fedde has an ERA of over 5.00 on the year and will have to keep the ball in the ballpark for the Nats to have a chance to win here. Against hitters like Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, that is easier said than done.
Just as important for the Nationals will be hitting well enough to keep up with the Jays. During their seven-game losing streak, the Nationals have scored five runs just twice and haven’t been all that threatening to opposing pitchers. That will need to change if they want to avoid an eighth straight loss.
Nats Losing Streak Should Continue
Eventually, the Washington Nationals will get back into the win column. But today is not that day, as they are going to have a hard time overcoming the overwhelming lineup that the Blue Jays will throw at an overmatched Erick Fedde. Laying the runline with the Blue Jays is the best bet here, as Toronto should get to him early and often en route to a big win.
Blue Jays vs. Nationals Pick: Blue Jays to win
