Washington Nationals vs Colorado Rockies Picks and Predictions August 22nd 2024

Patrick Corbin and the Nationals (57-70) will host the Rockies (47-80) today at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. The forecast looks good for Thursday’s matinee, with temperatures in the low 60s and clear skies. MASN will be televising this matchup, and the Nationals are the slight money line favorite, with their odds sitting at -126.

Cal Quantrill will be starting for the Rockies, who are 5th in the NL West. The over/under line is currently at 9 runs, and first pitch is set for 1:05 PM ET.

Cal Quantrill is looking to build off his last outing, where he faced off against the Padres and picked up the win. In that outing, he went 5 innings and gave up 3 earned runs. Looking back further, he has given up at least 3 earned runs in three straight outings. Quantrill’s ERA for the season is 4.59, along with a record of 8-8. Out of his 24 starts, he has turned in 12 quality starts and is averaging 6.86 strikeouts per nine innings. For the year, Quantrill has allowed 19 home runs and is walking 3.53 batters per nine innings.

So far this season, the Rockies offense has been pretty good at home, averaging 4.9 runs per game, which is 6th in the league. Overall, they are 17th in the league at 4.2 runs per contest. As a team, they are batting .244, which is 10th in the league, and have the 13th best OPS in the league. The Rockies have three players with at least 20 home runs, with Brenton Doyle and Michael Toglia tied for the team lead at 20 homers.

Heading into today’s game, Brenton Doyle is on an eight-game hitting streak and is batting .271 for the season. He also has 60 RBIs, which is the best mark on the team. Ezequiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle are 2nd and 3rd on the team in RBIs and are batting .272 and .271, respectively. Over his last seven games, Brendan Rodgers is hitting .286, and Michael Toglia has also gone deep in this stretch.

Left-hander Patrick Corbin gets the start for the Nationals today as he faces the Rockies at home. Corbin comes into the game with a record of 2-12 and an ERA of 5.92. So far this year, he has made 25 starts, and opponents are batting .300 off Corbin this year. In his 25 appearances, Corbin has turned in six quality starts and is averaging 6.58 strikeouts per nine innings. Looking back at his last outing, Corbin finished with a no-decision, giving up two earned runs in 4 1/3 innings of work. He has not won a start since May 12th.

Washington’s offense has been one of the worst home run hitting teams in the league this season, as they are 27th in the league in home runs. Overall, they are averaging 4.2 runs per game, which is 18th in the MLB. The team’s collective batting average of .244 is 10th in the league, and they have been good at avoiding strikeouts, as they have the 5th fewest strikeouts in the league.

Luis Garcia Jr. has been the Nationals’ top hitter this season, batting .294 with a team-high 62 RBIs and 15 homers. He has also been hot of late, going 9/27 in his last seven games. CJ Abrams has gone deep 18 times this season, but is batting just .246. Keibert Ruiz has also been swinging a hot bat, going 7/22 with three homers in his last six games.

The Washington Nationals are set to take on the Colorado Rockies in the rubber match of their three-game series on Thursday afternoon. Both teams are eager to build some much-needed momentum, but it’s the Nationals who are looking to secure back-to-back wins and clinch the series against a Rockies squad that has struggled on the road.

Nationals’ Hot Bats Lead the Charge

The Nationals’ lineup has been on fire lately, driven by standout performances from Luis Garcia Jr., Alex Call, and James Wood. These players have been key to Washington’s recent offensive surge, and they’ll be looking to keep that momentum going in the series finale.

Luis Garcia Jr.: Garcia has been red-hot, hitting .375 over his last 20 games. His three-run homer in Wednesday’s 6-1 victory was a game-changer, and his consistent performance at the plate has been a huge boost for the Nationals. Manager Davey Martinez praised Garcia’s improved plate discipline, noting how it’s elevated both his offense and defense.

Alex Call: Call has also been making waves since being recalled on July 29, batting .359 with three homers and 13 RBIs over his last 21 games. His knack for delivering in crucial moments has solidified his spot in the lineup.

James Wood: Wood has added even more depth to the Nationals’ offense, racking up 12 hits over his last eight games, including a double and two singles in Wednesday’s win.

Rockies Turn to Cal Quantrill

The Rockies will counter with right-hander Cal Quantrill, who has been a steady presence with 12 quality starts in 24 outings this season, though he’s struggled with consistency. Quantrill is coming off a win against the San Diego Padres, but he did surrender two home runs for the second straight start. His last outing against the Nationals saw him give up three runs in six innings, resulting in a no-decision. Keeping the Nationals’ hot hitters in check will be critical for Quantrill as he tries to guide the Rockies to a much-needed road victory.

Patrick Corbin Seeks Milestone Win

The Nationals will send veteran left-hander Patrick Corbin to the mound, who is on the hunt for his 100th career win. Corbin has had a tough season with a 2-12 record and a 5.92 ERA and is currently on a five-start winless streak. However, his experience against the Rockies—boasting an 11-8 record in 28 appearances—could give Washington the edge they need. Corbin will have to navigate a Rockies lineup that includes Brendan Rodgers, who’s been hitting a scorching .364 this month.

Rockies’ Road Woes Continue

The Rockies have had a rough time on the road this season, with an 18-47 record away from Coors Field that’s hampered their ability to stay competitive. Despite their struggles, Brendan Rodgers has been a bright spot, batting .364 with 11 RBIs in August. Along with Brenton Doyle, Rodgers will be crucial in generating offense against Corbin as the Rockies try to avoid another series loss on the road.

Game and Series Implications

This game is crucial for both teams. The Nationals, riding high on recent offensive success, have a chance to take the series and build some positive momentum. Meanwhile, the Rockies are looking to salvage a win and improve their dismal road record. The performances of Cal Quantrill and Patrick Corbin will be central to the outcome, as both teams aim to finish the series on a high note.

Today’s Rockies vs. Nationals game is projected to be a low-scoring game, but with the over/under line sitting at 9 runs, we are still leaning towards taking the over. As for who is going to take this one straight up, we like the Rockies to come out on top. Patrick Corbin has the 2nd worst chances to pick up a win among today’s starters, and he is our 6th ranked starting pitcher in terms of strikeouts. On the other side, Cal Quantrill is our lowest ranked starting pitcher in terms of strikeouts.