The last two World Series champions face off on Friday night as the Washington Nationals host the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Nationals lost the first contest in this four-game set last night and MLB betting lines have them installed as slim +105 home underdogs today.
Here are our best free Dodgers vs. Nationals picks and predictions for Friday, June 2, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET.
Dodgers vs Nationals game info
• Location: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
• Date: Friday, July 2, 2021
• Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
• TV: SportsNet LA, SNLA Deportes, MASN
Dodgers vs Nationals odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Compare MLB odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
MLB sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonPointsBet USA pegged Max Scherzer and Washington -120 to open Thursday afternoon, but the moneyline jumped the fence by this morning and is now Los Angeles -125. That said, this game is very much two-way play at 4:30 p.m. ET, with the Dodgers taking 53 percent of bets and 51 percent of money. The total rose from 7.5 (Over -120) to 8 (Under -115), though 52 percent of bets/55 percent of dollars are on the Under.
Check out the full line movement for this gameDodgers vs Nationals betting preview
Starting pitchers
Julio Urias (9-3, 3.95 ERA): The 24-year-old has pitched to an impressive 1.07 WHIP while holding opponents to a batting average of .234, but he has also imploded in a handful of starts. Urias is coming off a strong outing against the Cubs where he allowed two runs and fanned 12 batters in 5 1-3 innings. That allowed him to bounce back from a rough performance in San Diego last week when he surrendered six runs through four innings.
Max Scherzer (7-4, 2.14 ERA): The three-time Cy Young winner is putting together another brilliant campaign, pitching to a 0.86 WHIP and an OBA of .179 while striking out 119 batters in 88 1-3 innings. Mad Max has allowed just three earned runs in his last 24 innings pitched, fanning 32 batters over that span.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
Dodgers: Corey Seager SS (Out).
Nationals: Trea Turner SS (Questionable).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Nationals are 10-2 in their last 12 home games. Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Nationals.
Moneyline pick
The Dodgers erupted for five runs in the final inning of a rain-shortened game last night to win by a final score of 6-2. That victory extended their winning streak to six and moved them within one game of the San Francisco Giants for first place in the NL West.
But the Boys in Blue aren't the only ones making moves up the standings. Despite the loss last night, the Nats have won 16 of their last 21 contests and are two games behind the NL East-leading Mets.
The Nats should be in a good spot today with their ace toeing the rubber. Scherzer might be 36 years old but he's showing no signs of slowing down, ranking among the Top-5 pitchers in the majors in ERA (2.14), WHIP (0.85), and strikeouts per 9 innings (12.1).
The Dodgers will respond with Urias, the young but experienced left-hander. Urias has hit a rough patch lately, pitching to a 5.81 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in his last six starts.
Washington tends to hit well against southpaws, ranking 10th in the majors in OPS against lefties after ranking third last year and fifth in 2019.
The Nationals have been raking in recent weeks, thanks in large part to Kyle Schwarber, who tied a major league record with 16 home runs in an 18-day span from June 12-29. Over the last 15 days, Washington is second in the majors with an OPS of .875 while plating 5.29 runs per game.
Over that same time span, the Dodgers have posted an OPS of .745 while averaging 4.31 runs per game. With the Nats sizzling at the plate and having one of the game's best pitchers on the mound at home, being able to grab them at plus money looks like a steal.
PREDICTION: Washington (+105)
Over/Under pick
The Dodgers boast an impressive lineup, even with World Series MVP Corey Seager on the shelf, but they've been a bit inconsistent this year and have scored three runs or fewer in seven of their last 10 games. They won't find it easy to generate offense against Scherzer, who hasn't allowed more than two runs in a start since April.
While Urias has some ugly starts this year he has also thrown some gems. He has allowed two runs or fewer in seven of his last 11 outings and has an impressive 1.10 WHIP in 148 1-3 innings over the last two seasons.
The Under has cashed in 24 of Washington's last 31 games while the Dodgers have gone 6-0-1 to the Under in their previous seven contests. Back the Under tonight.
PREDICTION: Under 8 (-110)
Dodgers vs Nationals betting card
- Washington (-110)
- Under 8 (-110)
Picks made on 7/02/2021 at 9:30 a.m. ET
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