Nationals -$1.30 (Zimmerman) hosting Giants (Johnson)
Analysis: Not often will I back the Washington Nationals when they are favored.
This is one of those rare exceptions.
No doubt the Nationals are terrible. That point isn't being argued. But the Giants are truly bad when they are on the road with a 7-16 away mark. That's the second-fewest road wins in the big leagues.
San Francisco ranks last in the majors in homers and second-from-the-bottom in runs scored. The Nationals rate among the top 12 in runs, batting average and homers.
This is a rare instance where the Nationals are in the spotlight. That's because Randy Johnson is going for his 300th victory. Opponents are extra motivated not to let Johnson reach his milestone against them, especially when they are playing at home such as the Nationals are here.
The Giants are facing plenty of distractions. Not only is Johnson going for No. 300, but the team was scheduled to visit the White House this morning. Their thoughts are on Barack Obama not Jordan Zimmerman.
Zimmerman is a rookie, but he's the Nationals' best pitcher. His ERA isn't good, but he has tremendous potential. The right-hander has a 47-to-14 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Beating him isn't going to be easy for the Giants with their anemic offense. The Giants have lost their last five aways games against a right-handed pitcher.
The Nationals' confidence is up after they ended their six-game losing streak last night against the Giants and ace Tim Lincecum. Washington is averaging 7.5 runs in four games against the Giants this season.
Johnson is 45. He still can be effective - when pitching in a pitcher's park. He's 0-2 with an 8.50 ERA in four road outings this season. The Nationals have added another big right-handed bat to go against Johnson with Elijah Dukes now off the DL.
Analysis: Not often will I back the Washington Nationals when they are favored.
This is one of those rare exceptions.
No doubt the Nationals are terrible. That point isn't being argued. But the Giants are truly bad when they are on the road with a 7-16 away mark. That's the second-fewest road wins in the big leagues.
San Francisco ranks last in the majors in homers and second-from-the-bottom in runs scored. The Nationals rate among the top 12 in runs, batting average and homers.
This is a rare instance where the Nationals are in the spotlight. That's because Randy Johnson is going for his 300th victory. Opponents are extra motivated not to let Johnson reach his milestone against them, especially when they are playing at home such as the Nationals are here.
The Giants are facing plenty of distractions. Not only is Johnson going for No. 300, but the team was scheduled to visit the White House this morning. Their thoughts are on Barack Obama not Jordan Zimmerman.
Zimmerman is a rookie, but he's the Nationals' best pitcher. His ERA isn't good, but he has tremendous potential. The right-hander has a 47-to-14 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Beating him isn't going to be easy for the Giants with their anemic offense. The Giants have lost their last five aways games against a right-handed pitcher.
The Nationals' confidence is up after they ended their six-game losing streak last night against the Giants and ace Tim Lincecum. Washington is averaging 7.5 runs in four games against the Giants this season.
Johnson is 45. He still can be effective - when pitching in a pitcher's park. He's 0-2 with an 8.50 ERA in four road outings this season. The Nationals have added another big right-handed bat to go against Johnson with Elijah Dukes now off the DL.
