MLB Betting: Scherzer, Nola Duel Again
Aces square off for the second time in a week on Tuesday night when the Philadelphia Phillies play host to the Washington Nationals.
The scheduled pitching matchup Tuesday night is Max Scherzer (16-6, 2.13) for Washington and Aaron Nola (15-3, 2.13) for Philadelphia. They dueled just last week on August 23 when Nola pitched Philadelphia to a 2-0 win.
Nola was dominant, tossing eight shutout innings with nine strikeouts to lead Philadelphia to the win as a +143 underdog at Bovada Sportsbook. Scherzer was good, but couldn’t match Nola, going seven innings and allowing two runs on two hits with 10 strikeouts.
Including last week’s start, Nola is now 3-0 with a 1.25 ERA in three starts against Washington this season.
Both sides headed into this series struggling, as Washington was 3-5 in its last eight and Philadelphia was a disappointing 2-6 in its last eight. In 13 games between Philadelphia and Washington this season, the Phillies have a slight edge with seven wins. At home against Washington this season, the Phillies are 3-1 and they’re 6-2 in their last eight matchups.
Astros, Athletics vie for top spot in AL West
In the AL on Tuesday night, top spot in the AL West is up for grabs when the Oakland Athletics and Houston Astros continue a three-game series.
Both sides entered the series on a high note. Oakland had won three straight following a sweep of the Minnesota Twins, while Houston had won five in a row, including a sweep of the Los Angeles Angels.
On tap to pitch Tuesday is Edwin Jackson (4-3, 2.97) for Oakland and Charlie Morton (13-3, 2.89) for Houston.
Jackson took the loss against the Texas Rangers in his last start after allowing four runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings. Oakland lost 4-2 as a -157 favorite. In his lone start against Houston this season, Jackson came away with a no-decision after allowing two runs on five hits in five innings. Oakland won 4-3 as a +131 underdog.
Morton escaped with a win over the Seattle Mariners in his last start despite getting lit up for six runs on seven hits in five innings. Houston won 10-7 as a -148 favorite. In two starts against Oakland this season, Morton has no record and a 2.89 ERA. Houston lost both games.
In 16 games between Oakland and Houston this season, the Astros are 10-6, but they’re only 1-4 in their last five. At home this season, the Astros are 3-4 in seven games against Oakland.