Colorado Rockies vs. Washington Nationals Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 5/29/2022

Time: 1:35 p.m. ET

Venue: Nationals Park, Washington, DC

Where to watch: MASN 2, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain

DraftKings: Nationals -120, Rockies +100

BetMGM: Nationals -120, Rockies +100

Caesars: Nationals -120, Rockies +100

Rockies: 21-25

Nationals: 17-31

Doubleheaders are weird to gauge from the standpoint that even if both teams find a way to win, it could result in the margin of victory to determine who has the momentum going into the finale, if there is one.

In the case of the Washington Nationals, that might be the case. Despite losing the second leg 3-2 to the Colorado Rockies, the Nationals were able to swing the bats and send the Rockies back to some level of despair with a 13-7 win over Colorado.

But after that six-run loss, the Rockies got a big outing from Chad Kuhl, going 6.1 innings to earn the split. Good thing Kuhl didn't face the likes of Victor Robles in the first one with Robles driving in a career-high six runs in the first game.

"Any time you play a doubleheader you want to just give length," Kuhl said after tossing 95 pitches. "For me to go out there and go as long as I can, I felt that was going to be really important."

Cron went yard for his 13th homer of the season during the Saturday doubleheader, and Charlie Blackmon also contributed with three hits in the first game.

The Rockies' pitching, which was non-existent in that first game, came through in a big way in the second one. Because no one had an answer for Robles, whose six RBI paced what was a dominant first game for the Nats. Robles hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning, and Riley Adams also hit a two-run shot in the eighth inning.

"I believe in myself and in the work I've put in," Robles said through an interpreter. "I know the results will be there eventually and I've just got to keep grinding."

That first game was a wild one from the standpoint that eight runs combined were brought home in the first inning. The Nationals, however, just kept piling it on Rockies starter Austin Gomber. He lasted only 1.1 innings and threw 59 pitches while giving up eight runs on just seven hits. 

Maybe it was a good thing he didn't pitch in the second game because it would've been a cause for the fireworks to go off all over Nationals Park.

The Rockies' lack of offense continues to be an issue, and with the way Josiah Gray has been pitching as of late, I actually like the Nationals to wrap up winning three of four. Kyle Freeland will be able to do a little better than what Gomber could do, but I like the home team's staff more at this rate. Nationals win 7-3

Rockies are 6-13 as a road underdog this season.

Rockies are 5-9 against NL East opponents this season.

Nationals are 41-68 the past three seasons when the line is between +125 and -125.

Nationals are 7-10 against NL West opponents this season.

Rockies:
Connor Joe (R) LF
Yonathan Daza (R) CF
Charlie Blackmon (L) DH
C.J. Cron (R) 1B
Ryan McMahon (L) 3B
Brendan Rodgers (R) 2B
Randal Grichuk (R) RF
Jose Iglesias (R) SS
Elias Diaz (R) C
SP - Kyle Freeland

Nationals:
Cesar Hernandez (S) 2B
Keibert Ruiz (S) C
Juan Soto (L) RF
Nelson Cruz (R) DH
Josh Bell (S) 1B
Yadiel Hernandez (L) LF
Maikel Franco (R) 3B
Dee Strange-Gordon (L) SS
Victor Robles (R) CF
SP - Josiah Gray

Batting average: C.J. Cron -- .308

Hits: C.J. Cron -- 53

Home runs: C.J. Cron -- 12

RBI: C.J. Cron -- 34

Wins: Two tied -- 3

Saves: Daniel Bard -- 10

ERA: Austin Gomber -- 4.11

Batting average: Josh Bell -- .296

Hits: Cesar Hernandez -- 53

Home runs: Juan Soto -- 8

RBI: Josh Bell -- 25

Wins: Josiah Gray -- 4

Saves: N/A

ERA: Josiah Gray -- 5.44