Prizing:

1st Place: $25 Amazon gift card

2nd-5th Place: $10 Amazon gift card

Top 5 winners

Overview:

On Sunday, July 23rd, the (57-37) Washington Nationals will be on the road to take on the (55-40) Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Crowd:

“The Crowd” projects a final score of Nationals 5.3 – Diamondbacks 3.6 with an over/under of 8.9.

Starting Pitchers:

WAS: Stephen Strasburg (10-3, 3.31) vs ARI: Robbie Ray (9-4, 2.97)

Batting Stats:

Runs per game: Nationals 5.59 (2^nd) > Diamondbacks 5.06 (6^th)

Batting Average: Nationals .278 (2^nd) > Diamondbacks .258 (11^th)

On Base Percentage: Nationals .345 (2^nd) > Diamondbacks .328 (11^th)

Total Bases: Nationals 1562 (2^nd) > Diamondbacks 1450 (8^th)

Baserunning Stats:

Stolen Bases: Diamondbacks 69 (5^th) > Nationals 67 (6^th)

Pitching Stats:

Team Earned Run Average: Diamondbacks 3.48 (2^nd) > Nationals 4.09 (11^th)

Batting Average Against: Diamondbacks .238 (3^rd) > Nationals .245 (7^th)

Walks/Hits Per Innings Pitched: Diamondbacks 1.25 (4^th) > Nationals 1.27 (8^th)

Strikeouts: Diamondbacks 882 (5^th) > Nationals 844 (7^th)

Saves: Diamondbacks 23 (tied for 13^th) = Nationals 23 (tied for 13^th)

Fielding Stats:

Errors: Diamondbacks 58 (tied for 14^th) = Nationals 58 (tied for 14^th)

Summary:

The Nationals enter the game 2^nd in the league in runs per game (5.59) and 11^th in team earned run average (4.09).  Arizona ranks 6^th in runs per game (5.06) and 2^nd in team ERA (3.48).  The Nationals are (7-3) in their last ten games while the Diamondbacks are just (3-7).  Arizona is (2-1) in head to head games with Washington this season with each team totaling 9 runs in those three games combined.  Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg (10-3, 3.31) has certainly pitched like an ace this season.  Diamondbacks hitters are batting a combined .281 against Strasburg.  Strasburg has been a road warrior going (7-1) with a 2.45 ERA.  The additions of Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson should fortify a Nationals bullpen that has been shaky all year.

Diamondbacks starter Robbie Ray (9-4, 2.97) is enjoying the finest season of his career.  Nationals hitters are batting a combined .290 off of Ray.  Ray has not pitched well at home this season (4-3, 4.64).  Arizona’s trade for slugger J.D. Martinez should certainly add some thump to the middle of their lineup.  Arizona is (33-15) at home this season whereas Washington is (31-18) on the road.  I expect another low scoring game between these two teams especially with two quality starters facing off.  Arizona has been terrific at home but they are really struggling right now so I’m going with the Nationals.

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