MLB Predictions: Washington Nationals vs. Oakland Athletics

The Washington Nationals (19-17) and Oakland Athletics (22-15) will close out a MLB interleague series Sunday afternoon at the O.co Coliseum, with the first pitch scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET

Washington Nationals vs. Oakland Athletics

The Washington Nationals are 0-2 as road underdogs of +100 to +125 in 2014

Washington has dropped the first two games of this series, including a 4-3 setback as +148 road underdogs Saturday, while pushing up against the betting total of 7. Nationals closer Rafael Soriano failed to close the door yesterday—snapping a streak of 25 consecutive scoreless innings and converting 19 straight saves. Outfielder Denard Span is the only player on the current roster with more than a single hit against today’s opposing starter. Washington is 0-2 as road underdogs of +100 to +125 this season, with both games going OVER the total.

Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (3-2, 2.91 ERA) is coming off a 1-0 road defeat to the Philadelphia Phillies last time out, as he allowed a single run and four hits over 7.1 innings of work. The left-hander is 1-2 with a 3.91 ERA in four road appearances, with opposing hitters batting .231 against him. Gonzalez will be facing his former team for the first time in his career.

Oakland has won three games in a row, which came directly after suffering three consecutive setbacks against the Seattle Mariners. The Athletics will be without the services of outfielder Coco Crisp, who is suffering from a strained neck due to a play on Wednesday. Offensively, utility infielder Alberto Callaspo is 5 for 32 in his last 10 games, but he’s hitting .400 versus Gonzalez in his career. Oakland is 4-2 as home favorites of -125 to -150 this season, with no clear edge in terms of the betting total (3-3 Over/Under).

Athletics starting pitcher Scott Kazmir (4-1, 2.64 ERA) was handed his first loss of the season last time out, as he suffered a 4-2 home defeat to the Mariners—allowing four runs and eight hits over six frames. The left-hander is 1-1 with a 2.53 ERA in three home appearance, with opposing hitters batting .215 against him. Kazmir surrendered five runs on four hits in just 2.2 innings of work in his only career effort versus the Nationals.