Cleveland Guardians at Washington Nationals odds, picks & predictions

The Cleveland Guardians (8-6) continue a 3-game interleague road series against the Washington Nationals (4-10) Saturday. First pitch at Nationals Park is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Guardians vs. Nationals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Guardians lead 1-0

The Guardians posted a 4-3 win Friday in the series opener, erasing a 3-0 lead that the Nationals claimed in the 4th inning. Cleveland scored 1 in the 6th, 2 in the 7th and 1 in the 8th to turn things around. The Guardians have won 6 of the past 7 on the road.

The Nationals have dropped 3 in a row, and a lack of offense has been the culprit. Washington has allowed just 9 runs in the 3-game losing streak, but it has scored just 5. The Nats are a dismal 1-6 at home this season.

Guardians at Nationals projected starters

RHP Zach Plesac vs. RHP Chad Kuhl

Plesac (0-0, 9.00 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.75 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 through 8 IP.

• Allowed 2 ER on 5 H and 1 BB with 6 K across 7 IP in a no-decision against the Seattle Mariners Sunday for his 1st quality start of the season
• Last season during the day: 2-5, 3.25 ERA (63 2/3 IP, 23 ER), 1.15 WHIP, 42 K, .237 opponents’ batting average in 11 starts

Kuhl (0-0, 8.10 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.50 WHIP, 4.5 BB/9 and 6.3 K/9 through 10 IP.

• Was roughed up for 5 ER on 6 H and 4 BB with 3 K across 5 IP in a no-decision at Colorado last time out on Sunday
• Has served up 3 HR with 5 BB against just 44 total batters faced across his 10 IP and 2 starts

Guardians at Nationals odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:44 a.m. ET.

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Guardians at Nationals picks and predictions

Prediction

Guardians 7, Nationals 5

The GUARDIANS (-175) have been hot on the road this season, and the Nationals have been horrific at home. Still, this is a little high of a price for a road team, especially in a matchup between 2 pitchers stumbling out of the chute.

The GUARDIANS -1.5 (-110) are much better value on the run line.

Cleveland failed to cover the run line in Friday’s series opener, and it is 0-4 in the past 4 games as a favorite on the run line, so go lightly with this wager. However, Washington is just 1-6 at home this season and it is 2-5 on the run line as an underdog at Nationals Park to date.

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OVER 9 (-115) is a big number, but it is the best play on the board.

Plesac has allowed 2 HR in his 2 starts across just 8 IP, and he has allowed 8 runs and 12 H. Kuhl has been equally giving, serving up 3 HR while issuing 5 BB with 10 H allowed in just 10 IP. This game has the potential to resemble a beer-league softball game with a ton of scoring.

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