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2017 MLB Betting Predictions: NL East

2017 MLB Betting Predictions: NL East

Written by on June 29, 2017

MLB News and Betting Previews| Xbet.ag
At this writing, the Washington Nationals (47-31) have built a sizable lead in the National League East and are current favorites to win the NL East, sitting 9 ½ games ahead of the Atlanta Braves, who are in second — and 20 ½ games ahead of the last-place Philadelphia Phillies, a team that looks nine decades removed from that 2008 World Series title, instead of just nine seasons. As you consider some of your MLB futures betting choices, questions like whether the Nationals can advance in the postseason and how some of the other teams will fare down the stretch are definitely worth analyzing.

2017 MLB Betting Predictions: NL East

Can the Nationals advance to the NLCS — or beyond?

For starters,Washington has an amazing offense. For example, back in April of this season, they played 25 games and scored 170 runs, averaging 6.8 runs per contest. In just one week, they scored more runs than the Kansas City Royals did in the entire month of April. Plus, their starting rotation really only has one weak link, in Tanner Roark, as Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Joe Ross have lal had strong seasons to this point.

But is Washington a Threat?

The Nationals won’t threaten the major league record for runs scored in a season, which dates all the way back to 1894, when the Boston Braves piled up 1,220, including a game in which they beat Cincinnati, 43-11. Since 1900, no team has averaged more than 5.5 runs per game over an entire season. They have slowed down since April — but another trend has not changed, and that is the Nationals’ bullpen. They had the second-highest ERA of any bullpen in the National League in April, and that trend has not changed significantly. A talented group of pitchers has simply failed to perform.

Why is this an issue?

The postseason isn’t about bludgeoning as many baseballs as you can. It’s about pitching and defense. Time and time again, prolific offenses have found themselves marooned, as opposing teams bring out their three best starters, game after game, and then turn the game over to their best relievers. The Nationals don’t have anyone right now that they can trust to close a game when the chips are down. So even if they skate off with the NL East title, there are few guarantees that they would be able to take down the Dodgers, the Rockies, the Cubs, the Brewers, or any other team that can claw its way into the postseason, simply because the Nationals might give up too many runs late.

Upcoming NL East Schedule

  • June 30th to July 2nd @ St. Louis Cardinals
  • July 3rd to July 5th vs New York Mets
  • July 6th to July 9th vs Atlanta Braves
  • July 11th @ All Star Game
  • July 14th to July 17th @ Cincinnati Reds
  • July 18th to July 19th @ Los Angeles Angels

Can the Braves come back to snag a wild card?

Over the last two weeks, Atlanta has played outstanding baseball. They have won some nailbiters, including some of the extra-inning variety, and they have been absolutely raking, behind the bat of Matt Adams. He’s only been with the team for a month, but he’s already tied for second on the team in home runs. Dansby Swanson has seen his average take off in one of the best stretches he’s ever shown in his MLB career.

Upcoming NL East Schedule

  • June 30th to July 2nd @ Oakland Athletics
  • July 4th to July 5th vs Houston Astros
  • July 6th to July 9th @ Washington Nationals
  • July 11th @ All Star Game
  • July 14th to July 16th vs Arizona Diamondbacks
  • July 18th to July 19th vs Chicago Cubs
The Marlins are underdogs to win the NL East.

What about those Marlins?

First of all. three Marlins — Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna and Justin Bour — all rank in the top 20 in home runs. No other team has three in that top 20. Bour has been a real find after a slow April, knocking 14 balls out of the park in May and June combined. Now, the real test as to whether Miami can move up into the wild card conversation will be their ten-game road swing going into the All-Star break.

Upcoming NL East Schedule

  • June 30th to July 2nd @ Milwaukee Brewers
  • July 3rd to July 6th @ St. Louis Cardinals
  • July 7th to July 9th @ San Francisco Giants
  • July 11th @ All Star Game
  • July 14th to July 16th vs Los Angeles Dodgers
  • July 17th to July 19th vs Philadelphia Phillies

What happened to the Mets?

Well, at least Jacob deGrom is still fighting hard. He is the first Mets pitcher to go three consecutive starts of eight innings or more, in which he permitted no more than one run, since Pedro Martinez did it 12 seasons ago. Honestly, it looks like deGrom could be the only Met to make the All-Star Game, given how limited their offense has been.

Upcoming NL East Schedule

  • June 30th to July 2nd @ St. Louis Cardinals
  • July 3rd to July 5th vs New York Mets
  • July 6th to July 9th vs Atlanta Braves
  • July 11th @ All Star Game
  • July 14th to July 17th @ Cincinnati Reds
  • July 18th to July 19th @ Los Angeles Angels
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