This is a 5* BIG-CHALK CHOKE-OUT on the Washington Nationals.

The Nats had won four of five before last night's 4-3 loss to the Marlins in the opener of this three-game set, but with what we feel to be the vastly superior starter backing them tonight, we fully expect the home side to bounce back here with a resounding wire-to-wire destruction. Washington hands the ball to Jordan Zimmermann (10-8, 3.54 ERA) who will look to get untracked after a sluggish stretch and end the season strong. But if recent history is any precedence, then Zimmermann has to be loving his chances today, he's absolutely dominated the Fish throughout his career, he's gone 3-0 with a tiny 2.39 ERA in his last six home starts vs. them and owns a very respectable 2.84 ERA in three meetings this year. The visitors counter with Tom Koehler (8-12, 3.98 ERA) who has posted a deplorable 6.68 ERA while dropping a franchise record six starts in a row. Not surprisingly, the Nationals have feasted off of Koehler, he's 0-2 with a ballooned 7.50 ERA while yielding four home runs in the past two matchups. Zimmermann gets the big nod on the bump and despite Martin Prado hitting the cover off the ball right now for Miami, we'll also give the nod at the plate to the home side. And with those two crucial factors clearly working in our favor, it make this a price that we have no issues at all in laying. Play on the NATIONALS.

AAA Sports