The 2017 MLB season continues this Tuesday, the 6th of June and we preview some of the key games of the day below including the ESPN televised Washington Nationals at Los Angeles Dodgers below.
Washington Nationals at Los Angeles Dodgers (11.10am AEST ESPNHD)
The two hottest teams in the National League meet for the first of the three game series. The Nationals lead the NL East division nine games clear of the Braves and the Mets. Washington haven't taken a step back after their number one hitter Bryce Harper was suspended for four games. Harper was hit by a pitch from Giants pitcher Hunter Strickland in game one of the series. Harper gave Strickland a taste of his own medicine, charging at Strickland and causing an all in brawl that had both benches involved. Washington ended up claiming that series with outstanding pitching as the Giants managing only four runs in three games. Gio Gonzalez starts on the mound for the Nats, he is 4-1 for the year and an ERA of 3.03. In six overall starts against the Dodgers, he is 4-2 and has won the last four straight.
The Dodgers lead the NL West division and have won the last two over the Brewers and are 8-2 in the last ten. LA have struggled against left arm pitchers in the past but as of late they have turned the table. They have won six of the last eight games against lefties and are second in the league for runs scored and runs batted in. LA will start Hyan-Jin Ryu who is expected to start unless Alex Wood comes back from injury. He is 2-5 for the year and had a solid outing last game, pitching six innings and allowed only three hits and walk.
TIP: Washington Nationals H2H - $2.10 at Ladbrokes
Houston Astros at Kansas City Royals (10.10am AEST)
The Astros have won ten straight and are by far the best team in the American League. Houston have the best record in the league with a 41-16 record, and have a better record than home. They start pitcher Mike Friers for this away game who stands at 2-2 for the season. Friers allowed a pair of runs on five hits last game along with eight strikeouts in an impressive outing. Houston just swept their cross town rivals over the break and have haven't had a defeat since losing to the Tigers over a week ago. Offence has played an integral part in their success just ask the Minnesota Twins who allowed over 40 runs in three games.
Kansas are last in the AL Central division and can't find the consistency to push forward so far in the season. Despite this result they played a successful series against division leaders Cleveland to win the series 2-1. The Royals will give right hand pitcher Ian Kennedy a crack in this one as he tries to pick up his first victory of 2017.
TIP: Houston Astros -1.5 - $2.26 at Sportsbet
Toronto Blue Jays at Oakland Athletics (12.05 pm AEST)
The Blue Jays fly west to meet the Athletics in the best of three series. Toronto basically need J.A Happ to show what he's made of, as he bounces back from injury. Happ hasn't been active since April 16th and will be hoping to get back to the kind of form we saw in 2016. The Jays are sitting last in their division and have struggled on the road with an 11-15 record.
The Athletics showed some form over the weekend when challenged by the Nationals, but just came up short from claiming the series. Oakland looked comfortable at home as they piled on the runs in game one then almost snatched game three when the Nats bullpen gave up five runs in the ninth.
Oakland start Sean Manaea who has given the Athletics something to cheer about. Manaea is 4-3 for the year and is on a three game win streak. He has only allowed three runs in the past 19 innings and has pulled his ERA under 4.00 to his delight.
TIP: Oakland Athletics H2H - $1.89 at Ladbrokes
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