Arizona on Two-Game Winning Streak
The Washington Nationals try to tie things up in their weekend series with the host Arizona Diamondbacks when the teams square off again on Saturday night. Arizona took the series opener on Friday night to win its second straight contest and move within 1½ games of the fourth-place Colorado Rockies in the NL West. Washington has lost 16 of its last 18 games and is in last place in the NL East standings. The season series between these two is close so far, so to help with your betting online on Saturday’s game, make sure to check out our in-depth preview of the contest.
Let’s check the latest MLB news, stats, injury reports and MLB odds, for Nationals vs Diamondbacks. We’ve plenty of MLB picks & predictions.
Offense Silent for Nationals
The Washington Nationals started the second half of the season much the way they ended the first half, with little offensive production. Washington managed just three hits, with the only run being scored in the ninth inning on a groundout by catcher Keibert Ruiz.
Outfielder Juan Soto was 1-for-4, extending his career-high on-base streak to 27 games. Soto is batting .250 with 17 doubles, 20 home runs, 43 RBIs and 57 runs scored.
Second baseman Cesar Hernandez had the team’s other two hits and scored Washington’s only run. Hernandez is batting .244 with 20 doubles, two triples, 20 RBIs and 45 runs scored.
Right-hander Anibal Sanchez will make his second start of the season in Saturday’s contest. Sanchez is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA after going five innings against the Atlanta Braves on July 14 and allowing four runs on four hits, including two home runs, while striking out five and walking two. It was the 38-year-old’s first outing since the 2020 campaign, as he sat out 2021 and much of this season with a cervical nerve impingement in his neck.
Diamondbacks Start Second Half With Complete Effort
There wasn’t much the Arizona Diamondbacks didn’t do well in their first game of the second half of the season, routing the Washington Nationals 10-1. Arizona got solid pitching from starter Zac Gallen and clutch hitting.
“All around, it was a very solid game,” Diamondbacks catcher Carson Kelly said after Friday’s win. “Offense, defense, pitching. I think the break helped and we’ll try to continue to ride this wave.”
Second baseman Ketel Marte had a three-run home run, his third in his last five games. Marte is batting .274 with 26 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 33 RBIs and 47 runs scored.
Also going deep was outfielder Daulton Varsho, who had a 451-foot blast in the sixth inning as part of a 3-for-4 night. Varsho is batting .239 with 15 doubles, a triple, 13 home runs, 46 RBIs and 42 runs scored.
Veteran left-hander Madison Bumgarner will be on the mound for the Diamondbacks. Bumgarner is 5-9 with a 3.83 ERA in 19 starts, striking out 69 in 96⅓ innings. He’s coming off a loss against the San Diego Padres on July 15, going five innings and allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits while striking out three and walking four.
Nationals vs Diamondbacks Head-To-Head
This has been a tight rivalry of late, with the Arizona Diamondbacks taking a 3-2 lead in this season’s series with Friday’s victory. The Washington Nationals eked out a season series win in 2021, taking four of the seven contests played between these clubs.
Arizona’s win at home on Friday night was just its fifth in its last 17 games at Chase Field against Washington since the start of the 2016 campaign. The MLB lines for Saturday’s contest are giving the Diamondbacks the edge to notch another home victory.
Nationals vs Diamondbacks Game Information
- Game: Nationals (31-64) vs Diamondbacks (41-52)
- Location: Chase Field
- Day/Time: Saturday, 8:10 p.m. ET
- Live Stream: MLB TV
Nationals vs Diamondbacks Betting Lines
| Team | Handicap | Moneyline | Total | Team Total |
| Nationals |
+1½ -155
|
+135
|
9 -115o
|
4½ +120o 4½ -150u |
| Diamondbacks |
-1½ +135
|
-150
|
9 -105u
|
4½ -130o 4½ Evu |
Nationals vs Diamondbacks Prediction
The Arizona Diamondbacks played with a lot of confidence on Friday night, and it showed in the results. The Washington Nationals should put up more of a fight in this one, but in the end, it will be the Diamondbacks coming out on top again.
When doing your MLB betting, take Arizona to get the win at home.
