Tuesday’s MLB Over/Under: Is Eovaldi Ready For Scherzer and the Nats?

Smaller slates such as yesterday's can be a little more difficult, but nonetheless, a loss is a loss. That means I officially have my second losing streak of the season. It's time to bounce back. Luckily, I think I found the play to accomplish just that.

Zylbert's 2018 MLB Over/Under Betting Record: 41-22-2, +16.5 units

Yesterday's Result: Royals-Angels Under 8.5 (LOSS)

*Each bet graded as if it were to win 1 unit

Tampa Bay Rays @ Washington Nationals | O/U: 7

7:05 p.m. ET

Probable Pitchers: Nathan Eovaldi (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Max Scherzer (9-1, 1.92 ERA)

Eovaldi was lights out in his first start of the season, tossing six no-hit innings and striking out four against the A's. It marked his first start in exactly 657 days, making it all the more impressive. Best of all, the hard-throwing righty actually exceeded his usual velocity. His fastball averaged more than 98 miles per hour, his highest average in any of his previous six seasons. It's also worth pointing out that his splitter and cutter looked tremendous in his re-debut.

Can he keep it going? Eovaldi was none too pleased about being pulled after just 70 pitches (which you figure will be his floor now if he's pitching well). He didn't even want to shake manager Kevin Cash's hand in the dugout (he eventually did). I expect that fire and emotion to pour over into what will be Eovaldi's second start during his comeback tour — and in a National League setting, no less.

In terms of opposing starting pitchers, Eovaldi couldn't ask for a tougher second assignment, but it's something that greatly benefits any under wager. Scherzer will have the honors tonight in his home ballpark. He's in the midst of yet another absolutely incredible campaign, and you can bet he wants to maintain his elite level, eyeing a starting gig in this year's All-Star game, which will be played at Nationals Park.

Let's just state the obvious: While Clayton Kershaw is sidelined, Scherzer is the indisputable best thing going in the NL right now when it comes to pitchers. After all, he ranks first in the NL in wins (nine), WHIP (0.85), strikeouts (120), K/9 (13.56) and BAA (.171), and second in ERA (1.92) and innings (79.2). Let's also shed a light on his pristine numbers at home since joining the Nationals: In 51 starts, he's 22-14 with a 2.95 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and a ridiculous 448 Ks over 344.2 innings.

Make sure you get this under bet in as soon as you can and shop for the best line. Some books have already moved to 6.5, and I expect others to understandably follow suit later today. It's Scherzer at home matched up against a pitcher who actually is capable of being just as dominant.

Play: UNDER 7 (-120)