Nationals vs. Yankees Series Betting Preview
The defending World Series champion Washington Nationals host the New York Yankees in a three-game set at Nationals Park. Both teams are legitimate World Series contenders, with the futures betting odds showing the Yankees as one of the favorites to win it all at. While the Nationals will enter the series with their full roster, New York will be without closer Aroldis Chapman (COVID-19) and starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (concussion).
Taking a look at the Nationals vs. Yankees odds entering the series, the Yankees are favored. This lines up with a bigger picture view of how these two teams are being viewed by bettors entering the season, and that could also mean the Yankees odds are a little inflated.
To compare Nationals vs. Yankees odds across various sportsbooks, as well as other games from around the MLB, be sure to take a look at the odds comparison tool. The odds comparison tool is a great way to shop the best Nationals vs. Yankees lines, and all bettors should want to get the best price they can.
Nationals Have Frontend Pitching, Yankees Have Bullpen Arms
Washington enters the series with possibly the best top-three starting pitchers in all of baseball, which will help with their odds in the series. Opening Day starter Max Scherzer threw 87 pitches in his final summer tuneup and game two starter Steven Strasburg threw 81, so it’s quite possible that both men pitch into the sixth inning or later. Lefty Patrick Corbin will start game three.
For the Yankees, 2019 AL Cy Young award winner Gerrit Cole gets the nod in game one. With Tanaka working his way back from a concussion after being hit in the head with a line drive, left-hander’s James Paxton and J.A. Happ will start games two and three, respectively. Despite the Yankees solid top three, the Nationals get the edge in the starting pitching department.
In the bullpen, the Yankees take a big hit without Aroldis Chapman available, but even without one of the best closers in the game, the Yankees still field what still might be the best bullpen out there. Zach Britton moves to the closer’s role and the big arms of Adam Ottavino, Tommy Kahnle and Chad Green can easily bridge the gap from the starting pitcher to Britton.
Washington’s bullpen pitched to a 5.68 ERA last season, making them the team with the highest reliever ERA to make the postseason ever. With closer Sean Doolittle, Daniel Hudson re-signing, and the addition of Will Harris, this is a much-improved bullpen but not close to what the Yankees can offer.
Judge, Stanton Lead Powerful Lineup for Yankees
Offensively, the Yankees boast one of the deepest and most talented lineups in the game. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are both healthy headed into Opening Day. Seven of New York’s nine starting position players hit at least 21 home runs last season. Stanton and Aaron Hicks missed significant time and failed to reach the mark.
The Yankees offense will be a popular one for Nationals vs. Yankees props, but the talented pitching staff for Washington could dampen its output.
The Nationals lost third baseman Anthony Rendon to the Angels, but they do return NL MVP candidate Juan Soto, as well as shortstop Trea Turner. This is a lineup that should keep the Nationalss competitive but in no way stands up to what the Yankees offer.