DraftKings / Bet365. Michael Soroka has remained under this line in seven of his ten outings this season, including all six of his away starts. Having missed most of several seasons due to injuries, including only throwing 85 innings last season (mostly as a reliever), Soroka is still working back into starter shape. He’s noticeably less effective as the game progresses, including a 1.106 OPS allowed the third time through the batting order. The Nationals have been careful with his pitch count, and I see that happening once again tonight. While the Angels are below average offensively, they are patient. The Halos have the eighth lowest chase rate (third lowest over the last month) and see the 12th most pitches per plate appearance.

The Angels could have picked a better character from Greek mythology to identify with than Sisyphus, forever destined to push a boulder to the top of a hill before it rolls back downhill again. Much like cracking the .500 barrier for the Halos, whose latest attempt last night fell short in a hail of Nationals runs (15 of 'em) at the Big A. Some concern tonight for Halos starter Kyle Hendricks, hit very hard last Sunday by the Astros, allowing 5 runs and 8 hits (two homers) in just 5 IP of a loss to Houston, while the Nats seem to have recovered from a recent 11-game slump. Ron Washington's absence could be a Halo distraction as well.