NLDS Game 5 Nationals at Dodgers Free Pick

Pitcher's Duel On Tap for Decisive Contest in LA?

According to the line in the NLDS Game 5 Nationals at Dodgers free pick, hometown Los Angeles is set to get the victory in a low scoring affair. Dave Roberts’ team is a -170 favorite at home, the largest ML they’ve had all series. Oddsmakers also aren’t expecting a lot of runs in this premier pitching matchup, setting the total at just 7.

Washington Hopes to Avoid Flip-Flop Pattern

The pressure is on Strasburg Wednesday night to try and get Washington to the LCS.

The Nationals and Dodgers have alternated wins so far in this series. The Dodgers got the 6-0 shutout in game one, but Washington took back home field with a 4-2 victory in game two. The Nationals laid an egg back in D.C in game three, dropping a 4-10 contest but redeemed themselves with a 6-1 victory at Chavez Ravine on Monday.

The way the series has played out, it’s not looking good for Dave Martinez’ team in the NLDS Game 5 Nationals at Dodgers free pick. Washington does send Stephen Strasburg to the mound in this one though which gives them a chance. The right-hander pitched the Nats’ to a win in game 2, striking out 10 Dodgers batters in 6 innings of 3 hit ball. Strasburg also came out of the bullpen to help eliminate Milwaukee in the wild card game and has a 0.94 ERA for this postseason.

The Nationals offense has their work cut out for them on Wednesday in LA. Washington has put up some good numbers in this series, especially against a deep Dodgers staff. The Nats have scored 4+ in each of the last three games despite only having 3 HR total in the series. Trea Turner and Ryan Zimmerman are also the only two Nationals starters hitting above .278 for the series.

Can Dodgers Afford to Be Patient Here?

The Dodgers have who they want on the mound for the decisive game 5.

The 5-inning total for the NLDS game 5 Nationals at Dodgers free pick is just 3.5 runs and even the under at that number looks good. This is not only because Stephen Strasburg has looked unhittable this postseason – it’s because Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler has been nearly unhittable-er.

Buehler took the hill in game one ahead of Clayton Kershaw and some of the other big-name Dodgers pitchers. All he did after that was throw 6 innings of 1-hit ball vs. these Nationals. Buehler allowed 2 ER or less in 6 of his last 9 games of the regular season and has just a 2.86 ERA at home this year. Buehler went 0-1 vs. Washington in two starts this year, but had just a 2.92 ERA to boot. Wednesday will also be Buehler’s 6th postseason start despite being just 25 years old.

One of the reasons the Nationals have a shot in this one is because LA hasn’t been getting much this series from their big name bats. Cody Bellinger is just 3-15 while Corey Seager has gone just 3-16 vs. Washington pitching. It’s been part-timers like Russell Martin mostly coming through for the LA offense but can they rely on that in such a big spot?

NLDS Game 5 Nationals at Dodgers Free Pick

It wouldn’t take much to hit the ‘over’ in this game but both pitchers are savvy and set for a solid night, especially against two offenses that have been ho-hum as individual batters. There’s no value on the Dodgers at such a high number -174 considering their offense can be so inconsistent. The total is the play in this one with likely 6-7 low scoring innings coming from the starters.

Pick: Nationals / Dodgers *Under* 7

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