PREMIUM
Rogers' ROUND TRIPPER (Afternoon!) >> 17-7 This Week! 8-1 in MLB!
(MLB) Washington vs. Philadelphia,
Money Line: -170.00 Washington (Away)
Result: Win
Money Line: -170.00 Washington (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Washington Nationals opened the 2017 season by taking two of three at home against the Marlins, while the Philadelphia Phillies lost two of three at Cincinnati. The Phillies take the field for their home opener this afternoon against the Nats. Washington is on a bit of a quick turnaround after losing 4-3 to the Marlins last night. The game was delayed by rain and then went 10 innings. Philadelphia opened its season with a 4-3 Monday win but followed by losing 2-0 Wednesday night and then 7-4 Thursday afternoon. Let there be no mistake, there is still a lot of work to be done at Philadelphia.
Washington: Max Scherzer (20-7 & 2.96 ERA in 2016) will take the mound today against Vincent Velasquez (8-6 & 4.12 ERA). Scherzer begins his third season with Washington, coming off winning his second career Cy Young Award in 2016. He suffered a broken knuckle late last season but the injury was not diagnosed until December. He went the entire off-season without picking up a ball due to the injury. However, Scherzer did make three spring training appearances while posting a 2.45 ERA. "I'm good to throw 100 pitches (Friday)," said Scherzer, He will be opposed by Vincent Velasquez, who struck out 16 batters in his 2016 home debut as part of an up-and-down campaign.
Velasquez had a much better ERA at home (2.88) than on the road (5.37) last season and held opponents to a .204 average at Citizens Bank Park, compared to a .314 mark in visiting ballparks.
The pick: Velasquez made 19 appearances for Houston in 2015 but in his first year with the Phillies, he went 8-6 with a 4.12 ERA in 24 starts. His best stretch was his first eight games, when he went 5-1 with a 2.42 ERA, striking out 59 in 48 1/3 innings. Over his last 16 starts, he was 3-5 and the team was 5-11 (note: team lost eight of his nine post-All Star break starts!). The Nationals won 14 of 19 meetings last season with the Phillies with Scherzer going 3-0 with a 2.02 ERA in five starts against the Phillies (Nats were 4-1). He is 7-1 with a 1.78 ERA in 11 starts overall versus Philadelphia (teams are 9-2). Make Washington an 8* play.
Washington: Max Scherzer (20-7 & 2.96 ERA in 2016) will take the mound today against Vincent Velasquez (8-6 & 4.12 ERA). Scherzer begins his third season with Washington, coming off winning his second career Cy Young Award in 2016. He suffered a broken knuckle late last season but the injury was not diagnosed until December. He went the entire off-season without picking up a ball due to the injury. However, Scherzer did make three spring training appearances while posting a 2.45 ERA. "I'm good to throw 100 pitches (Friday)," said Scherzer, He will be opposed by Vincent Velasquez, who struck out 16 batters in his 2016 home debut as part of an up-and-down campaign.
Velasquez had a much better ERA at home (2.88) than on the road (5.37) last season and held opponents to a .204 average at Citizens Bank Park, compared to a .314 mark in visiting ballparks.
The pick: Velasquez made 19 appearances for Houston in 2015 but in his first year with the Phillies, he went 8-6 with a 4.12 ERA in 24 starts. His best stretch was his first eight games, when he went 5-1 with a 2.42 ERA, striking out 59 in 48 1/3 innings. Over his last 16 starts, he was 3-5 and the team was 5-11 (note: team lost eight of his nine post-All Star break starts!). The Nationals won 14 of 19 meetings last season with the Phillies with Scherzer going 3-0 with a 2.02 ERA in five starts against the Phillies (Nats were 4-1). He is 7-1 with a 1.78 ERA in 11 starts overall versus Philadelphia (teams are 9-2). Make Washington an 8* play.
