This article is part of our MLB Picks series.
Previous article: 3-1, 2.60 RW Bucks
Season: 79-80-7, -6.25 RW Bucks
I'll try to keep a two-article streak of coming out ahead by focusing on one NL and one interleague matchup on a big Friday night slate.
Colorado Rockies at Washington Nationals 7:05 PM ET
Starting Pitchers: German Marquez vs. Josiah Gray
The Pick: Nationals Over 4.5 runs (+110 on DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 RW Buck
Secondary Pick: Over 9 runs (-102 on FanDuel Sportsbook) for 1 RW Buck
Marquez does have a good track record against current Nationals bats, but he's struggled some on the road this season with a 4.93 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 1.4 HR/9, leading to a 4-8 mark when traveling. Washington hasn't been easy on visiting righties of late, either, posting a .272 average, .801 OPS and .343 wOBA in that split over the last month. Then, Gray has pitched to a 12.75 ERA and 2.25 WHIP over his last three starts and the Nats bullpen has pitched to a 6.12 ERA and NL-high .363 wOBA in September, leading me to the second wager.
Arizona Diamondbacks at Houston Astros 8:10 PM ET
Starting Pitchers: Madison Bumgarner vs. Brandon Bielak
The Pick: Astros To Score First and Win (+115 on DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 RW Buck
Secondary Pick: Astros Over 5.5 Runs (+100 on FanDuel Sportsbook) for 1 RW Buck
Bumgarner has allowed five earned runs in three straight starts and has pitched to a 7.43 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 2.7 HR/9 over his last four starts overall. The Astros have punished visiting southpaws for a .301 average and MLB-high .934 OPS and .393 wOBA in the second half of the season as well, and Bumgarner has given up at least one run in the first inning in three straight starts. Houston also averages a hefty 5.3 runs per home game overall, supporting the notion of the second wager.