Diamondbacks vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, May 5, 2023

May 5, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

Following a two-homer game in a win over the Rangers, Christian Walker leads the Arizona Diamondbacks (17-14) into action as -186 favorites against the Washington Nationals (13-18). First pitch from Chase Field at 9:40 PM ET on Friday, live on MLB Network.

Arizona’s Merrill Kelly gets the start, and he’ll go against Washington’s Josiah Gray.

Diamondbacks vs. Nationals Odds

Diamondbacks odds to win: -186
Nationals odds to win: +158
Spread: Diamondbacks -1.5
Total: 9 runs

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Game Time and Information

Date: Friday, May 5, 2023
Time: 9:40 PM ET
TV: MLB Network

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Who Will Win Diamondbacks vs. Nationals?

Diamondbacks and Nationals Betting Trends

The Diamondbacks have compiled a 5-3 record in games they were listed as the moneyline favorite (winning 62.5% of those games).

Arizona has played as moneyline favorites of -186 or shorter in only one game this season, which it won.

The Nationals have won 13, or 41.9%, of the 31 games they’ve played as underdogs this season.

Washington is 7-6 this season when entering a game as the underdog by +158 or more on the moneyline.

The Diamondbacks have played in 31 games with an over/under set, and have combined with their opponents to go over the total 16 times (16-13-2).

The Nationals and their opponents have gone over the total this season in 12 of their 31 opportunities.

Diamondbacks Stats & Insights

The Diamondbacks are the eighth-highest scoring team in the majors, averaging 5.2 runs per game (161 total).

Arizona averages one home run per game to rank 21st in MLB play with 31 total home runs .

The Diamondbacks are fourth in the majors with a .266 batting average.

Arizona strikes out 7.4 times per game, the second-fewest average in the majors.

The 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings compiled by the Diamondbacks pitching staff ranks 23rd in MLB.

Arizona has a 4.95 team ERA that ranks 24th across all MLB pitching staffs.

Nationals Stats & Insights

The Nationals have scored 115 runs (just 3.7 per game) this season, which ranks 28th in MLB.

Washington ranks 29th in Major League Baseball with just 18 home runs as a team.

The Nationals’ .252 batting average ranks 14th in the league this season.

No team has fewer strikeouts this season than Washington, which has struck out only 6.7 times per game on average.

The Nationals average the 25th-most strikeouts per nine innings (7.8) in the league this season.

Washington has pitched to a 4.32 ERA this season, which ranks 13th in baseball.

Diamondbacks Key Players to Watch

Kelly makes the start for the Diamondbacks, his seventh of the season. He is 2-3 with a 3.62 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings pitched.

Walker leads Arizona in home runs (seven) and runs batted in (25) this season while batting .264.

Corbin Carroll leads Arizona in batting with a .323 average while slugging four homers and driving in nine runs.

Ketel Marte is slashing .267/.325/.514 this season for the Diamondbacks.

Geraldo Perdomo has collected 27 hits this season and has an OBP of .473. He’s slugging .636 on the year.

Nationals Key Players to Watch

The Nationals will send Gray (2-4) to the mound for his seventh start this season.

Victor Robles paces the Nationals with a .302 batting average.

Alex Call is hitting .230 with three doubles, three home runs and 15 walks.

Luis Garcia has three doubles, a triple, two home runs and seven walks while batting .223.

Lane Thomas has four doubles, a triple, two home runs and eight walks while batting .269.

Diamondbacks and Nationals Injuries

Diamondbacks: Kyle Lewis: 10 Day IL (Illness), Carson Kelly: 10 Day IL (Forearm), Zach Davies: 15 Day IL (Oblique), Cole Sulser: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Mark Melancon: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Corbin Martin: 60 Day IL (Lat)

Nationals: Corey Dickerson: 10 Day IL (Calf), Israel Pineda: 10 Day IL (Finger), Carter Kieboom: 10 Day IL (Finger), Chad Kuhl: 15 Day IL (Foot), Stephen Strasburg: 60 Day IL (Ribs/shoulder), Tanner Rainey: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Cade Cavalli: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Victor Arano: 60 Day IL (Shoulder)