Washington Nationals vs San Francisco Giants Pick & Prediction, 7–29–2016

Washington Nationals vs San Francisco Giants
Pick & Prediction 7–29–2016
MLB Odds: Nationals -150, 7
Game Time: Friday July 29th, 10:15pm

Nationals vs Giants pick and prediction from Documented Handicappers

Two 1st place teams take the field in San Francisco for the second game of a four game series tonight as the Giants host the Nationals. The Nationals will send 32-year old flame throwing right hander Max Scherzer to the hill, and 31-year old right hander Jeff Samardzija will get the call for the Giants.

Max Scherzer is looking for his 11th win on the season. The hard throwing right hander is pitching his best baseball of the season, with a 10–6 record and a 2.92 ERA. He now has a Major League leading 181 strikeouts, and has a dominating 11.50 K/9 rating, trailing only Jose Fernandez in that category.

The Nationals pitching has been tremendous, featuring a 3.28 team ERA, good for second in all of baseball.

Washington had the best free agent signing in the off season when they picked up Daniel Murphy from the Mets. Murphy has 19 RBI’s in his last 13 games, sporting a .354 batting average with 20 home runs and 75 RBI’s. We know he delivers in the postseason which makes him a dangerous batter for any opposing pitcher.

Jeff Samardzija will make his 21st start of the season, aiming for his 10th win. Samardzija was rocked in his latest outing, conceding five runs in 5.2 innings pitched to the Yankees in a loss. Samardzija started off the season pitching well but has struggled in recent months. One thing going for him is he has solid numbers in his career against the Nationals, featuring a 3.12 ERA with a 1.06 WHIP in 43.1 career innings pitched.

The Giants have struggled to hit for power and have not hit many home runs this season, sitting 27th overall with 87 home runs. Only two players have double digit home run totals, Buster Posey with 12, and Brandon Belt with 11. It won’t get any easier facing Scherzer.

The Washington Nationals are:
4–1 in Scherzer’s last 5 starts against a team with a winning record.
5–0 in their last 5 in the second game of a series.
Under is 5–1 in Nationals last 6 road games
Under is 8–2 in Nationals last 10 games vs. a right-handed starter

The San Francisco Giants are:
1–8 in their last 9 games against a right handed starter
1–4 in Samardzija’s last 5 starts
2–9 in their last 11 games heading into Friday’s action
Under is 10–4 in Giants last 14 overall

Nationals vs Giants Pick and Prediction: Under 7