Photo by Craig Nedrow for TalkNats
The Nats have a 3-game weekend series against the Orioles in Nationals Park (weather permitting). The difference a few days make. O’s fans were talking about PLAYOFFS after a 5-2 start to the season, but then the Marlins ripped through Baltimore and swept them in four games to throw the O’s back in the pack. The Orioles at the time had the third best record in the American League only trailing the Yankees and Twins. The Nats do not have much to brag about either as they have a similar record at 1-game under .500.
The betting lines are certainly interesting in this game. A quick look at the graphic tells you how Vegas is looking at this one, and as we always say, there is a reason we play the games. The Nationals are -180, so you would have to bet $180 to win $100 (as the favorites).
Like Vegas, the Nats are thinking Anibal Sanchez bounces back and Orioles starter and ex-Nat Tommy Milone flops. The lefty was the Orioles starter on Opening Day and was not good, but bounced back and stymied the Tampa Bay Rays over 5.0 innings. The Nats like hitting lefty pitching so we will see how this goes. All of a sudden, Milone has become a strikeout pitcher with a finesse repertoire. Sanchez last worked in the Nats “sim” game on Saturday.
Expect manager Dave Martinez to have three of these four in the lineup: Carter Kieboom, Asdrubal Cabrera, Howie Kendrick and Josh Harrison.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 6:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN; MASN2, MLB App out-of-market
Nats Radio: 106.7 The Fan and via the MLB app
Line-ups subject to change without notice:
This is Howie line up for the Battle of the Beltways.#NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/HOEjLNTwkX
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 7, 2020
.@Nationals – Your place, 6:05, BYOB(aseballs) pic.twitter.com/xMdcSMNqTf
— Baltimore Orioles 😷 (@Orioles) August 7, 2020
