Washington Nationals vs
Arizona DiamondbacksPredictions & Preview

Nationals Prepare to Face Diamondbacks in Weekend Series, Irvin to Pitch Against Kelly

The Nationals will face off against the Diamondbacks in a weekend series, with the Nationals currently trailing just half a game behind third-place Atlanta in the NL East Division. The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, sit in fourth place in the highly competitive NL West Division. Jake Irvin will pitch for the Nationals with a 4-1 record and a 3.42 ERA, while Merrill Kelly will take the mound for the Diamondbacks with a 5-2 record and a 3.52 ERA. The game is set to start at 9:40 PM EST, with Arizona being the favorite to win based on the current betting line. Be sure to check out more details in this Nationals/Diamondbacks prediction and increase your bankroll with our top picks.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Nationals +190 | Diamondbacks -220
• Spread: Nationals +1.5 (-107) | Diamondbacks -1.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 9.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Arizona will win straight-up is 69%.

Washington vs Arizona Stats

Washington Nationals

The Nationals are currently on a West Coast journey, coming into the series in fourth place in the NL East. They hope to build on their recent 9-0 victory over the Mariners as they prepare to take on the Diamondbacks this weekend. Right-hander Jake Irvin will start the series, boasting a 4-1 record with a 3.42 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 11 starts this season. Despite key injuries, the Nationals have won three of Irvin's last five starts and will look to improve their 26-30 record. Their offense ranks 11th in the league, while their defense is ranked 25th.

Arizona Diamondbacks Analysis

The Arizona Diamondbacks have recently struggled after initially competing for the top of the NL West Division standings. They lost two out of three games to the Pittsburgh Pirates, with a 10-1 loss in the last game. Starter Zac Gallen's struggles continued as he took the loss, bringing his record to 3-7 for the season. The team will look to regroup against the Nationals over the weekend, starting with Merrill Kelly, who has a record of 5-2 in 11 starts this season. The Diamondbacks have a power ranking of 16 and rank 5th for offense, averaging 4.98 runs per game. Key injuries include SP Eduardo Rodriguez, SP Blake Watson, SP Jordan Montgomery, and RP AJ Puk.

Irvin faces tough test at Chase Field as Kelly and Diamondbacks look to capitalize

In his previous start against the Diamondbacks this season, Irvin encountered some challenges, allowing seven hits and five runs over five innings. With a total of 10 home runs surrendered this year, his pitching may face difficulties at Chase Field, known for its hitter-friendly conditions in MLB. On the other hand, Kelly has demonstrated strong performance at home this season, boasting a record of 3-1 and a commendable 2.35 ERA in front of the home crowd. Despite having not faced the Nats yet this year, Kelly is expected to have an edge against their youthful lineup. The Nationals are well-rested following a day off on Thursday, while the visiting team traveled from a game the previous night in Seattle. Considering these factors, I recommend selecting Arizona with the ML for this matchup.

Sources: [ 2 ] [ 3 ]