This National League clash is only one of 11 MLB games scheduled for Thursday, August 18, and here you can read the best Nationals vs. Padres betting pick and odds.
Washington and San Diego will play the first of a four-game series at Petco Park, and the Padres are -360 moneyline favorites on BetMGM Sportsbook, while the total is set at 7.5 runs. These National League rivals have met three times this season and the Padres won two of those games.
Nationals lost the series to the Cubs
The Washington Nationals still have the worst record in the MLB after losing two out of three games against the Chicago Cubs at home. They are 8-17 in the second half of the season and it looks like the rebuilding franchise will finish the campaign with the weakest record of all 30 teams.
The Nationals had a 1-0 lead until the 5th inning against the Chicago Cubs, but the visitors took a 2-1 lead and then secured a 3-2 victory in the end. Cesar Hernandez and Nelson Cruz drove a run apiece for Washington, while Lane Thomas was the only one with a multi-hit game. Cory Abbott (0-2) played well over 6.0 innings as he allowed two runs on three hits with five strikeouts and a walk. Jake McGee took a loss, his third of the year.
Anibal Sanchez (0-5) is still searching for his first win of the year in his 7th start when he takes on the Padres on Thursday. The 38-year-old righty has a bloated 7.20 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, and a 22/14 K/BB ratio in 30.0 innings.
Padres avoided the series sweep by the hands of the Marlins
The San Diego Padres returned home from a six-game road trip with a 3-3 record. They managed to avoid the series sweep by the hands of the Miami Marlins after winning Game 3. Prior to that victory, the Padres scored just three runs in the opening two losses. With a 66-54 record, San Diego is 6th in the National League and in a good position to secure a wildcard spot.
The Padres erupted for ten runs in a 10-3 win thanks to Jake Cronenworth’s grand slam in the opening inning and four more RBIs from Ha-Seong Kim. Mike Clevinger (4-4) had problems with his control and lasted only 4.1 innings, allowing three runs on six hits with one strikeout and four walks. Adrian Morejon was credited with a win, his second of the campaign.
Yu Darvish (10-6) will be on the mound for the 23rd time this season and is hoping to win after losing the last two starts. The 36-year-old right-hander owns a respectable 3.40 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a 141/27 K/BB ratio across 140.1 innings of work.
Trends:
Washington:
- 1-4 in the last five road games vs. a right-handed starter
- 3-7 in the last ten road games with the total set at 7.0-8.5
San Diego:
- 7-0 in the last seven home games vs. a right-handed starter
- 7-2 in the last nine home games
- 6-2 in the last eight home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5
Washington Nationals vs. San Diego Padres Pick
Yu Darvish will be eager to bounce back from two straight losses, the latest of which came against the Nationals in D.C. a few days ago. It was the first time the Japanese allowed more than three runs after six starts, and I am pretty sure he will display a way better performance on Thursday. Darvish is allowing just .154 BA to the Nationals. San Diego is batting .241 against righties with 4.51 runs per nine innings, and I am backing them to trouble Sanchez early on and secure a comfortable win.
Pick: Take the Padres -1.5 Run Line at -140
The Total
The last time when Sanchez met Darvish in an H2H matchup, the teams combined for seven runs, but now I am backing the Padres to score 5+ runs alone. They scored 21 in their last two home games, and there is no way the worst defense in the MLB will be able to avoid a catastrophe here. Over is 8-2 in the last ten H2H meetings, while Over is 4-0 in the previous four duels in San Diego. Also, Over is 6-1-2 in the Nationals’ last nine games vs. a right-handed starter, while Over is 8-3 in the Padres’ previous 11 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Pick: Go Over 7.5 runs at -110
