Nationals (+940) Overtake Cubs (+1000) for Third-Best Pennant Odds; Still Have Worst Bullpen in National League
- The Nationals (+940) trail only the Dodgers and Braves in the updated NL Pennant odds
- Washington moved ahead of the Chicago Cubs (+1100)
- With Max Scherzer set to return, is there value on Washington reaching the 2019 World Series?
The Washington Nationals are driving on, while the Chicago Cubs have shifted into reverse gear.
A recent 6-1 run solidified Washington’s position as the #1 Wild Card in the National League. The Nationals are 1.5 games ahead of the Cubs, the second Wild Card team, and 3.5 games clear of the nearest Wild Card contenders, the Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.
The Nats are also on the rise in the NL Pennant odds. Across the leading sportsbooks, Washington has moved ahead of the Cubs. The Nationals now occupy the position as the third favorite to win the NL at +940, on average. They are still as long as +1000 at certain sportsbooks, for those inclined to place a wager.
2019 National League Pennant Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | -120 |
| Atlanta Braves | +600 |
| Chicago Cubs | +1000 |
| Washington Nationals | +1000 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | +1000 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +1200 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | +1600 |
| New York Mets | +2000 |
| San Francisco Giants | +2500 |
| Cincinnati Reds | +5000 |
Odds taken on 08/19/19.
The Cubs slumped to average odds of +1000, down from +780 just ten days ago.
For Starters, Nationals Rule
As a staff, Washington’s. 4.02 starter xFIP is fourth in MLB. Max Scherzer leads all NL pitchers in WAR (5.4) and Patrick Corbin is sixth (4.5). Stephen Strasburg has racked up a league-leading 15 wins.
Joe Ross has not allowed a run in his last 16 1/3 IP, the longest streak by a Nationals pitcher this season.
That’s pretty incredible on a team that includes Scherzer, Strasburg, Corbin, Doolittle, etc.
— Jamal Collier (@JamalCollier) August 14, 2019
Scherzer is out front in strikeouts per nine innings (12.633). He’s third in ERA (2.41) and Corbin is 10th (3.34). Joe Ross has allowed just one run over his last 18 innings of work. Scherzer, on the 10-day IL due to back and shoulder issues, is scheduled to return to the mound Thursday against Pittsburgh.
Max Scherzer “I’m good to go”
Hear more from #Nats Ace coming up today on Nats Xtra! pic.twitter.com/8V6sWIiupL— Alex Chappell (@AlexChappell) August 14, 2019
Washington’s team slogan is “Stay in the Fight”. Thanks to the Nats’ starting staff, that’s been the case most nights. Washington has been leading or tied in the seventh inning or later in 49 of the last 53 games.
Hitting Their Stride
The Nationals tied a franchise record, crushing eight home runs in Sunday’s 16-8 win over the Brewers. Only the Dodgers (.341) and Braves (.335) show a better weighted on-base average among NL teams this season than Washington’s .332. But since the All-Star break, the Nats own an NL-best .353 wOBA.
Outfielder Adam Eaton is slashing .358/.452/.679 in August, including three homers. He went 6-for-13 in the series against Milwaukee with two homers, two doubles and a triple.
Bullpen A Nationals Disgrace
There’s not much more than can be said about the depths of despair that’ve been reached by the Washington relievers. Their combined 6.09 ERA and 5.10 xFIP are both last in the NL and 29th overall in all of baseball, ahead of only the historically terrible Orioles.
It was 11-8 Nationals heading into the ninth. Sean Doolittle came in for the save attempt
⚾️ Home Run
⚾️ Double
⚾️ Home Run
⚾️ Home RunIt's now 12-11 Brewers 😮 pic.twitter.com/BCNeGkcLlP
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 18, 2019
Now, the one element that was somewhat stable has vanished. Closer Sean Doolittle was placed on the 10-day IL Sunday with right knee tendinitis. He’s expected to be out until early September.
In his last five appearances, Doolittle has blown two saves and has an ERA of 22.50.
Cubs Lose, Cubs Lose
Washington has gone 9-3 in the last 12 and 10-5 for August. Meanwhile, the Cubs are making that “beep, beep” sound of a big rig backing up. Chicago is 3-6 in its last nine.
The Nats finish off a seven-game road trip with three this weekend at Wrigley.
Juan Soto (@Nationals) is the 3rd player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs before turning 21 years old, joining Mel Ott (61) and Tony Conigliaro (56). pic.twitter.com/qjMLcRG8si
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 18, 2019
Washington’s true test commences in early September. From Sep. 2nd-18th, the Nationals play 16 straight against playoff teams or clubs in the playoff chase.
There is a lot you can say about the 2019 Washington Nationals. Not all of it is positive. But you cannot deny this team absolutely does not quit, no matter the situation.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) August 18, 2019
The Nats look postseason bound. But their past history of playoff failure, combined with that leaky faucet of a bullpen make them a team to avoid when it comes to wagering on the outcome of the NL pennant.
If you seek a price better than the Dodgers (-120 on average), the Braves remain the best bet at +450.
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
