Milwaukee Brewers at Washington Nationals:
The Milwaukee Brewers did not make a ton of moves at the MLB trade deadline, but the biggest cog they acquired makes his debut on Friday when the Brewers go on the road to face the Washington Nationals for today’s MLB pick.
Frankie Montas gets the start on the mound for the Brewers after being traded from the Cincinnati Reds, where he logged a 5.01 ERA with nearly 1.4 home runs per nine innings allowed, but should not have to worry about giving up as much hard contact on Friday.
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Washington has the fewest home runs among MLB teams. With Jesse Winker and Lane Thomas being traded at the deadline, the team had six of their nine starters in the final two games of their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks with just one or two home runs overall this season.
Overall, the Nationals are averaging just over 4.2 runs per game, which is 18th among MLB teams, but that drops to 23rd and just over 4.1 runs per game at home.
The Nationals give Jake Irvin the start on the mound. Irvin has a 3.44 ERA with 1.2 home runs and 2.1 walks per nine innings allowed, with two runs or fewer given up in five of his past seven starts. The last time Irvin faced the Brewers, Irvin allowed six runs in four innings on the road on July 111, and Milwaukee still had Christian Yelich in the lineup.
Including Yelich’s most recent game played on July 23, the team has averaged just 3.3 runs per game with the former MVP currently on the injured list with a back injury.
The Brewers bullpen continues to be one of the best in baseball, ranking third in ERA with a 3.29 ERA, while the Nationals’ 4.29 ERA ranks 24th.
With the Brewers’ struggles at the plate without Yelich and Washington’s general lack of power, Friday’s series opener will be a fun one for the pitchers.
MLB Pick: Brewers vs. Nationals Under 9.5 Runs
To find more baseball value bets, visit Greg Peterson’s daily MLB lines.
