On Wednesday, the New York Yankees (78-54; 42-25 away) will face off against the Washington Nationals (59-73; 30-34 home) in the final game of their three-game series in Washington, D.C. The Yankees opened the series with a 5-2 victory on Monday. Nationals Park will welcome fans at 6:45 p.m. EST for this matchup. Which team will emerge victorious?
Yankees Seek to Extend Winning Streak
The Yankees are back on track with an impressive 18-9 record over their last 27 games. As they aim to close the gap on the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East, they boast the top scoring average in the league, posting 5.11 runs per game. With key players like Aaron Judge and Juan Soto leading the charge, they currently lead MLB in home runs. The Yankees are also performing well in other offensive metrics, ranking first in walk rate and on-base percentage. However, their base running remains a weak point, sitting 25th in stolen-base percentage. Despite this, their offensive output has been hard to ignore.
Pitching plays a critical role for the Yankees, and left-hander Carlos Rodon has been a standout performer in the second half of the season, posting a 2.67 ERA since the All-Star break. With a 5-1 record during this stretch, he has consistently limited opponents’ scoring opportunities. Rodon’s overall season stats include a 4.16 ERA and a solid WHIP of 1.230. Complementing him is a Yankees bullpen that ranks 10th in ERA, bolstered by a high groundball rate. The question remains: can they keep the Nationals’ offense in check?
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Nationals Focused on Development
On Monday, the Nationals celebrated the MLB debut of Dylan Crews, a promising outfield prospect. Alongside other young talents like James Wood and Andres Chapparo, the team is shifting its focus toward rebuilding for the future as they approach the end of the 2024 season. MacKenzie Gore, a key player acquired in the Juan Soto trade, is expected to take the mound on Wednesday. Unfortunately, Gore has struggled recently, posting a 6.00 ERA in the second half and allowing 16 runs in 20.2 innings this month. With Washington going 2-4 during this period, the bullpen, ranked ninth in WAR, will need to step up to support him.
At the plate, the Nationals are averaging 4.21 runs per game, ranking 21st in the league. Their strength lies in their speed, leading the league with 178 stolen bases. However, their offensive lineup lacks power, sitting 29th in home runs and 24th in slugging percentage. Despite hitting two home runs on Monday, they continue to seek consistent power production as they push through the remaining games of the season.
Key Betting Insights for Yankees vs. Nationals
This matchup showcases two contrasting pitchers in the second half of the season. Rodon has excelled for New York, maintaining a 2.67 ERA since the All-Star break, while Gore has struggled for Washington with a 6.00 ERA in that same timeframe.
Offensively, the Yankees rank second in scoring compared to the Nationals’ 21st position. Additionally, New York’s bullpen performance is stronger, ranking 10th in ERA versus Washington’s 19th. Given these statistics, it appears likely that the Yankees will secure another victory by a considerable margin, similar to their performance on Monday.
