Marlins vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, May 18, 2023

May 18, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

The Miami Marlins (22-21), led by Bryan De La Cruz on an 11-game hitting streak, will meet the Washington Nationals (18-25) Thursday at LoanDepot park. The Marlins are -157 favorites for the matchup, which starts at 1:10 PM ET on BSFL.

Eury Perez will get the ball for Miami while Washington will counter with Trevor Williams.

Marlins vs. Nationals Odds

Marlins odds to win: -157
Nationals odds to win: +135
Spread: Marlins -1.5
Total: 8 runs

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Game Time and Information

Date: Thursday, May 18, 2023
Time: 1:10 PM ET
TV: BSFL

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Who Will Win Marlins vs. Nationals?

Marlins and Nationals Betting Trends

The Marlins have been favored on the moneyline 18 total times this season. They’ve gone 10-8 in those games.

Miami has played as moneyline favorites of -157 or shorter in only two games this season, which it split 1-1.

The Nationals have won 17, or 40.5%, of the 42 games they’ve played as underdogs this season.

Washington has entered 28 games this season as the underdog by +135 or more and is 13-15 in those contests.

The Marlins have had an over/under set by oddsmakers 42 times, and have combined with opponents to go over the total in 19 of those games (19-22-1).

So far this season, the Nationals and their opponents have hit the over in 18 of their 42 games with a total.

Marlins Stats & Insights

The Marlins have the No. 28 offense in MLB action scoring 3.5 runs per game (150 total runs).

Miami ranks 24th in MLB action with 39 home runs. They average 0.9 per game.

The Marlins’ .250 batting average ranks 14th in the majors.

Miami strikes out 8.6 times per game, the No. 12 mark in MLB.

The pitching staff for the Marlins has a collective 9.4 K/9, the fifth-best in the majors.

Miami has the 20th-ranked team ERA across all MLB pitching staffs (4.51).

Nationals Stats & Insights

The Nationals have scored the 25th-most runs in the league this season with 173 (four per game).

Washington has hit just 28 homers this season, which ranks 29th in the majors.

The Nationals’ .260 batting average is among the best in baseball, ranking eighth in MLB.

Washington has the fewest strikeouts in MLB, fanning only 7.2 times per game on average.

The Nationals strike out just 7.5 batters per nine innings as a pitching staff, which ranks 29th in MLB.

Washington pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.40 ERA this year, which ranks 18th in MLB.

Marlins Key Players to Watch

The Marlins will send Perez (0-0) to make his second start of the season.

Luis Arraez leads Miami with a batting average of .389.

Jorge Soler leads Miami in home runs with 11 and runs batted in with 24.

Jon Berti has 33 hits this season and a slash line of .270/.318/.361.

De La Cruz has collected 40 hits this season and has an OBP of .329. He’s slugging .417 on the year.

Nationals Key Players to Watch

Williams (1-1) will take to the mound for the Nationals and make his ninth start of the season.

Luis Garcia is batting .262 with five doubles, a triple, three home runs and 11 walks.

Lane Thomas has shown off his power as he paces his team with five home runs.

Jeimer Candelario has 11 doubles, a triple, four home runs and 12 walks while hitting .247.

Keibert Ruiz is hitting .236 with six doubles, three home runs and 10 walks.

Marlins and Nationals Injuries

Marlins: Avisaíl García: 10 Day IL (Back), Jazz Chisholm: 10 Day IL (Toe), Jesús Sánchez: 10 Day IL (Hamstring), A.J. Puk: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Trevor Rogers: 15 Day IL (Forearm ), Johnny Cueto: 15 Day IL (Biceps), Tommy Nance: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Max Meyer: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Anthony Bender: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Nic Enright: 60 Day IL (Illness)

Nationals: Victor Robles: 10 Day IL (Back), Israel Pineda: 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)