Arizona Diamondbacks vs Washington Nationals: Free MLB Picks

In: MLB Free Picks

1 May 2012

Jason Storm
Free Picks Newsletter Lead Researcher
165-109-1 Overall Record

MLB Predictions: Arizona Diamondbacks (+135) vs. Washington Nationals (-145) Over-Under 6.5

I will be the first to start this off and say I’m on the Zimmermann bandwagon. How can you not be? I dont think theres a sports writer in the game right now that isnt interested in the marvel hes started with. That bring said I will keep it as even down the line as much as I can on this match up only because of who they are playing and thats the 12-11 Diamondbacks who is having a fairly good early season themselves keeping only a 4 games behind the power slugging Dodgers in the NL West.

Arizona’s pitching hasnt been at the top of their game on the higher end of all stats even falling into the 20th spot in ERA at 4.10 which is not looking to hot at all. The defense itself has given up quite a few possible wins for the D’Backs already and I think it will be something to continue unless the bullpen steps up soon. However the
offense is whats keeping them int the early chase. They lead the entire MLB on Stolen Bases and hold 8th place in the MLB on Home Runs. That is something to be pretty proud of. Chris Young and Jason Kubel are batting with best of them and I’m pretty sure all the Arizona fans just want to watch Joe Saunders pitch every single game with his .90 ERA and WHIP of .87 which is simply crazy talk after 3 games. But this game will not be seeing Saunders pitch.

Instead we have Trevor Cahill. He’s 1-2 so far and holding a 3.70 ERA which isnt bad but it isnt very good either going into your fourth game. His OBP is just over .316 and
his WHIP isnt bad at 1.27 but if hes looking to gain a great win this would be the time to step up and rock the Nats in the Nations Capitol.

Hitting those pitches though might be a problem as the Nats are, how can I put this nicely, absolutely awful. The highest they rank on any stat for Offense is 25th. Yeah, you read that right. They are second to last in the majors in BA and HR which is sad seeing as how they have several guys I’m sure can knock out a few more runs per game,
alas they dont. Hell the best player at bat so far this year has been first baseman Adam LaRoche whos played for 5 different teams in his 9 seasons in the MLB. While the hitting is cold the pitching is hot as the sun. This team is stacked. They are number one with ERA and Strike Outs and a team WHIP of 1.07. Wow.

The man pitching tonight will be Jordan Zimmermann. Hes absolutely nuts so far this season with a ERA of 1.33, and OBP of .200 and a scolding WHIP of .70. YIKES. Him and Steven Strasburg are two young guys that make this team what it is today.

Below is the projected starting line up for the Nationals. Please keep in mind that this is not official. I am doing this just so you can see some of the names in case you missed the off season acquisitions and departures.

Ian Desmond, Stephen Lombardozzi, Danny Espinosa, Adam LaRoche, Xavier Nady, Tyler Moore, Craig Stammen, Chad Tracy, Bryce Harper, Jesus Flores, Rick Ankiel

Jayson Werth – Doubtful, Ryan Zimmerman – Out

Below is the projected starting line up for the Diamondbacks

Willie Bloomquist, Ryan Roberts, Justin Upton, Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Ransom, Gerardo Parra, A.J. Pollock, Henry Blanco, Patrick Corbin,
Craig Breslow, Lyle Overbay, David Hernandez,

Chris Drew – Out, Chris Young – Out

With no crazy good batters I dont see the Diamondbacks jumping on this game with Zimmermann up on the mound. He simple just too good. If they can start off early and confuse him then I say they have a shot but the fact of the matter is that The Nats pitching is just really that good. How else would they be 14-8?

Pick:  Washington Nationals -145

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