The Miami Marlins are in the thick of the NL wild-card race so they can’t afford to be losing games like Thursday’s series opener at improved but still a pretty bad Washington team. The Marlins are solid favorites on the MLB odds.

Nitrobetting checks out the game in this preview. Get a complete look at the game information, team and player statistics, and the latest MLB odds. We also deliver timely betting trends and predictions that help you secure the best picks.

Marlins vs. Nationals Game Information

final. pic.twitter.com/tJyc5F3p9q

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) August 31, 2023

• When: Thursday, August 31, 2023, 7:05 PM ET
• Where: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
• TV: BSFL, MASN
• Radio: 940 WINZ AM (Marlins) // 106.7 The Fan (Nationals)
• Live Stream: MLB.tv
• MLB Odds: Marlins (-164) // Nationals (+139)

READ MORE: Reds vs. Giants MLB Odds, Preview and Prediction – August 30, 2023

Why bet on the Cincinnati Reds?

The Reds are without excellent rookie infielder Matt McLain and it’s not a coincidence the team has struggled of late without him. Manager David Bell said Monday that McLain is without a clear timeline for a return from the 10-day injured list, but the Reds are hopeful he will play again this season. McLain was placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Monday’s 4-1 loss to the Giants after he was sent in for a precautionary MRI on Sunday and diagnosed with a right oblique strain. McLain has been the Reds’ most valuable player since he debuted May 15.

His .882 OPS was the best by any Reds batter through his first 85 career games (minimum 385 plate apps). His .297 batting average through his first 85 appearances ranked second to Frank Baumholtz’s .304 BA in 1947. The Reds were 18-22 (.450) when he was promoted on May 15 and went 50-42 (.543) until he was injured.

“Ever since he’s been called up he’s been a huge, huge part of this team,” center fielder TJ Friedl said. “We’re going to definitely miss having him in the lineup, and hopefully he has a speedy recovery and we get him back as quick as possible, but also make sure he’s good to go when he comes back.”

It’s hard-throwing Hunter Greene on the mound here. Greene (2-6) allowed five runs on five hits and five walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings to take the loss last Friday versus the Diamondbacks. Greene was roughed up for five home runs in his second start back from a two-month absence due to a hip injury last week.

“Just deep counts, even from early on in the game,” Reds manager David Bell said. “Not enough strikes with the fastball. That made it tough on him. He just had to work too hard to get outs. It caught up there at the end of his outing.”

The only bright spot from Friday’s outing was that he was able to keep the ball in the yard, but the five walks were a season high. Two starts into his return from the injured list, Greene has a 17.55 ERA with 14 runs (13 earned), 15 hits and eight walks over his 6 2/3 innings. He spent considerable time while on the IL trying to build core strength to alleviate hip and back issues.

On the season, Greene has a 5.06 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 108:39 K:BB through 80 innings across 16 starts. He hasn’t faced the Giants in his young career.

Why bet on the San Francisco Giants?

Giants outfielder AJ Pollock could begin a rehab assignment soon. Pollock has been cleared to take part in all baseball activities, and it may not be long until he’s given the green light to resume playing in games. The Giants placed Pollock on the 10-day injured list Aug. 9 with a left oblique strain, an injury that had been expected to keep him out for about three weeks.

It’s ace Logan Webb on the mound. Any shot he had of winning the NL Cy Young likely ended last Friday against Atlanta when Webb (9-10) took the loss, allowing five runs on six hits and a walk while striking out one over 5.1 innings. Webb hadn’t allowed more than three earned runs in any of his first 12 home starts this season, but he couldn’t keep that streak going against the top offense in MLB.

“It’s a good lineup, and I didn’t execute,” Webb said. “I just think they beat me today. It’s as simple as that. Nothing really else to say other than that.”

The Giants fell to 13-14 in Webb’s starts this year, which is largely the result of their inability to provide consistent run support for their homegrown ace. He entered last Friday with a 3.30 run support average, the second-lowest mark in the Majors.

Webb has given up nine runs over 11.1 innings across his last two starts, both coming against Atlanta. He’s now gone four starts without a win and has a 3.51 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 163:27 K:BB through 174.1 innings over 27 starts this season. On July 17 in Cincinnati, Webb allowed two earned runs over seven innings in a no-decision – McLain and Jonathan India homered off him.

Marlins vs. Nationals Betting Trends

• Cincinnati is 1-5 SU in the last 6 games.
• Reds are 6-12 SU in its last 18 games against San Francisco.
• The total went under in 4 of Cincinnati’s last 6 games.
• San Francisco is 4-2 SU in the last 6 games.
• Giants are 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Cincinnati.
• The total went under in 14 of San Francisco’s last 18 games at home.

Marlins vs. Nationals Betting Prediction

Nationals +1.5 runline.

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