2019 MLB – Los Angeles Dodgers @ Washington Nationals Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Los Angeles Dodgers @ Washington Nationals taking place? Monday 7th October, 2019 – 00:45 (UK)
Where is Los Angeles Dodgers @ Washington Nationals taking place? Nationals Park
What is the expected weather for Los Angeles Dodgers @ Washington Nationals? Mostly cloudy, 18c
What television channel is Los Angeles Dodgers @ Washington Nationals on? BT Sport 1 in the UK / TBS in the US
Where can I stream Los Angeles Dodgers @ Washington Nationals? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website or app in the UK / MLB.tv in the US
Where can I get tickets for Los Angeles Dodgers @ Washington Nationals? https://www.mlb.com/tickets/season-tickets
What was the outcome in the last meeting? Washington Nationals 2 – 4 Los Angeles Dodgers
THE TEAM NEWS
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
- The Dodgers couldn’t repeat their dominant performance from Game 1 and settled for a 2-4 defeat that complicates their chances of moving into the next round. Now they are forced to win at least one game on the road because otherwise, they will be eliminated earlier than most expected. The loss in Game 2 ended two notable streaks for the Dodgers – an eight-game winning run, and a span of five games where they had allowed two or fewer runs.
- There are no injury concerns for the Dodgers ahead of Game 3 since the only injured player that could play a role, Alex Verdugo, wasn’t included on the NLDS roster and can only return if the Dodgers move into the NLCS. One player to watch for the Dodgers is NL MVP candidate Cody Bellinger, who is yet to record a hit in two NLDS games against the Nationals so far.
- NL Cy Young Candidate Hyun-Jin Ryu has been confirmed as the Dodgers’ starter for Game 3, and he is coming off the best season of his career at the MLB Level since he led the Majors in ERA with a stellar 2.32 ERA, although his home/away splits were notable. The South Korean lefty went 10-1 with a 1.93 ERA at home, as opposed to a 4-4 mark and a 2.72 ERA on the road.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
- The Nationals delivered an impressive bounce-back performance in Game 2 of the NLDS, as Max Scherzer came off the bullpen to strikeout all three batters he faced en route to a 4-2 win for the Nationals. They only allowed five hits during the entire game, including four extra-base hits. Now the Nats, who are 10-1 in their last 11 games dating back to the regular season, return home where they went 50-31 during the regular season – the second-best mark in the National League. They know two wins at home would push them straight towards the NLCS.
- The Nationals do not have injury concerns ahead of this contest, although Victor Robles left the contest in Game 2 with an undisclosed injury and should be treated as day-to-day. Trea Turner has been on fire so far for the Nationals in the NLDS, hitting .333 after a 2-for-5 day on Game 2.
- Despite appearing in one inning from the bullpen on Friday, Scherzer was expected to start in Game 3. That situation will be re-evaluated but if he is unable to go, then Anibal Sanchez (3.85 ERA, 1.27 WHIP in 30 starts during the regular season) would get the nod.
THE PREDICTION
The Nationals came out of nowhere to steal home-field advantage against the Dodgers, and they will rely heavily on their solid home record to potentially pull the upset. Much of this will be decided by who starts the game for Washington, as having Scherzer and Sanchez makes for a completely different gameplan. As for the Dodgers, Ryu hasn’t been himself over the past two months and if we add his road struggles into the mix, then the Nationals can be considered the safe bet to go up 2-1 in the NLDS with a home win on Sunday evening.
