In this article, we will formulate a Nationals vs Dodgers prediction for this MLB game on Friday, June 20, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

The Washington Nationals (31-44, 15-20 Away) went through their worst period of the season, during which they suffered 11 consecutive defeats. Washington was swept by the Mets and Marlins in the process, and lost three of four games against the Colorado Rockies at home, but managed to avoid a sweep with a 4-3 extra innings victory in Game 4. James Wood drove in all four runs for the Nats, as he hit a couple of homers, while Trevor Williams pitched for 5.1 innings in a no-decision, allowing two runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and one walk. Ryan Loutos was credited with the win.

This season, the Nationals average 4.14 runs per game (21st in the MLB) on a .239/.307/.382 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Nationals’ staff has a 4.96 ERA (26th) and 1.38 WHIP (24th). James Wood leads the Nationals with a .284 batting average, 20 home runs, and 56 RBI this season.

MacKenzie Gore will take the mound for the Nationals on Friday. The 26-year-old left-hander has a 3-6 record in 15 starts this year with a 2.89 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 87.1 innings.

Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Preview

The Los Angeles Dodgers (46-30, 28-13 Home) won three consecutive series and were on a five-game winning run before losing to the San Diego Padres on Thursday. The Dodgers beat the Padres and Giants and then defeated San Diego in three of four games. Los Angeles failed to complete the sweep after losing Game 4. In that 5-3 defeat, Yoshinobu Yamamoto took the loss after allowing three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and no walks in 6.1 innings. The offense was kept off the scoreboard for eight innings, and although the Dodgers scored three runs in the 9th, it was too late.

This year, the Dodgers average 5.56 runs per game (1st in the MLB) on a .265/.341/.460 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Dodgers’ staff has a 4.16 ERA (21st) and 1.30 WHIP (19th). Andy Pages leads the Dodgers with a .290 batting average, 15 home runs, and 50 RBI this season.

The projected starting pitcher for the Dodgers is Clayton Kershaw, who is 2-0 in six starts this season, with a 3.25 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 27.2 innings.

Total Runs Facts

Four of the Nationals’ last five night games against NL West opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
Four of the Dodgers’ last five games as favorites against the Nationals have gone OVER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Nationals’ last six games as road underdogs.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Dodgers’ last four night games against NL East opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

The Dodgers rank 1st in the league for home runs this season (116).
The Dodgers rank 1st in the league for RBIs this season (403).
The Nationals rank 26th in the league for hits allowed this season (666).
The Nationals rank 26th in the league for runs allowed this season (380).

Nationals vs Dodgers Prediction

These teams have traded wins in the past couple of years, each recording five in the previous ten H2H encounters. Washington won two out of three H2Hs earlier this season in D.C., and even though all three went Over, I am going with Under in this one because of the excellent form of both MacKenzie Gore and Clayton Kershaw. Gore registered a 2.63 ERA in May and allowed more than two runs just once in his last eight starts. He surrendered two runs in 5.0 innings the last time he met the Dodgers. Kershaw allowed only five runs in his previous five starts, and given how Washington is struggling offensively recently, I am sure the future Hall of Famer will keep the visitors in check here. Go with Under.

Oliver Zivic's Pick: Under 8.5