The betting public is heavily backing the Brewers with Woodruff's return creating significant line movement.
Game Overview
The Milwaukee Brewers have been red-hot lately, extending their winning streak to five games after Friday's 8-3 victory over Washington. The Brewers are now 7-3 in their last 10 with a stellar 31-17 home record this season. Meanwhile, the Nationals continue to struggle, going just 3-7 in their last 10 games and 20-28 on the road. This marks the second meeting between these teams this season, with Milwaukee having dominated Friday's opener behind a six-run third inning.
Key Matchups & Analysis
- Brandon Woodruff vs. MLB Return
Woodruff (1-0, 1.50 ERA) makes just his second start since returning from a lengthy injury absence. In his first outing, he looked remarkably sharp with 8 strikeouts over 6 innings while allowing just 2 hits and no walks. His command was exceptional with a microscopic 0.33 WHIP. - Ogasawara's Major League Growing Pains
Nationals rookie Shinnosuke Ogasawara (0-1, 13.50 ERA) has struggled mightily in his brief MLB exposure. The Japanese left-hander has allowed 4 earned runs in just 2.2 innings with a troubling 2.63 WHIP, suggesting he's likely not ready for this level of competition. - Brewers' Bullpen Advantage
Milwaukee boasts one of the strongest bullpens in baseball, led by Trevor Megill (21 saves) and Abner Uribe (MLB-leading 26 holds). Their relief corps has been exceptional during this winning streak, providing a significant edge in late-game situations. - Christian Yelich's Power Surge
Yelich has been locked in at the plate, delivering his team-leading 19th homer in Friday's game. His resurgence this season has been a key factor in Milwaukee's success, and he should have plenty of opportunities against the struggling Ogasawara.