This is a bit like last season, when the Mariners were prone to flat stretches when the offense went into extended slumps. Into tonight, while losing five of eight, Seattle has been blanked twice (including last night) and held to two runs or fewer on two other occasions. Thursday starter Emerson Hancock does seem blessed by good fortune, as despite a 5.95 ERA, the Mariners have won in six of his last seven starts. But the way the offense is struggling, and Mackenzie Gore (3.48 ERA) mostly solid on the mound for the Nats, not sure Hancock gets customary run support tonight. Play Nats on the Money Line.

With the Nationals' shaky bullpen, I bet them in the first five innings behind MacKenzie Gore. The lefty has fanned 18 over his last two starts, and he dominated the Mariners (7 innings, 4 hits, 1 run, 8 Ks) when he faced them last season. Gore is in much better form than Seattle starter Emerson Hancock, who is allowing a .507 expected slugging percentage. He has fanned only 28 in 39.1 innings, so I like the Nats' chances to put balls in play and lead after five.

An edge in the starting pitcher matchup for the Nationals. MacKenzie Gore (3.51 xERA) vs. Emerson Hancock (5.60 xERA). Fresh off scoring nine runs last night, the Washington lefties should get to Hancock and score some runs for Gore, helping win the final game of the series. With how bad the Nats bullpen has been though, and Seattle not using their top arms yesterday, I'll stick to the F5 market. Gore has been great at working around trouble with strikeouts and while this lineup has been less prone to strikeouts so far, Seattle did allow top strikeout artists like Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet to go for at least eight punch outs. Playing Nats TT over 3.5 and F5 TT over 1.5 as well.