Baseball Betting: The Baltimore Orioles host the Washington Nationals on Thursday in the finale of the four-game Beltway Series. The first two games of the series were in Washington with the last two in Baltimore. Both teams have been fighting for first place in their respective divisions with the Nationals battling the Braves in the NL East while the Orioles are contending with the Blue Jays and Yankees in the AL East. Here is a look at Thursday’s contest and free baseball picks.
Probable Pitchers – Gio Gonzalez vs. Miguel Gonzalez
It is a battle of Gonzalez’ on Thursday as Gio Gonzalez is expected to get the start for the Nationals while Miguel Gonzalez should get the call for the Orioles. Gio is 6-4 on the season with a 3.52 ERA. He has been excellent since coming off the DL. In his last start against the Cubs he allowed just four hits and struck out seven. He has not given up a run in his last 22 innings. He is 3-0 in his last three starts and he has averaged 7 innings per start. He is 1-3 in his career against the Orioles with a 3.75 ERA.
Miguel Gonzalez is 4-5 on the season with a 4.22 ERA. He gave up seven hits and two runs last time out against the Red Sox. He pitched well against Boston but didn’t get a decision. Gonzalez needed that good outing as in his previous three starts he has not gone more than five innings.
Game Notes
Before this four-game set began it was the Baltimore Orioles who had taken 7 of the last 10. Three of the last four had gone over. Baltimore had won 8 of the last 10 at home against the Nationals with five of the last six going under. The Nationals have played better of late on the road but they still don’t have a winning record away from home.
Free Baseball Picks
The Nationals have the edge in pitching but the trends are really against them. Let’s avoid a side in this one and simply go under the total.
