MLB picks: Nationals vs. Rockies, A's vs. Mariners

The final Monday of the MLB season features just a handful of games, but we’ve come up with two solid wagers for the evening.

First, we’ll dive into the series opener between the Washington Nationals and the Colorado Rockies. Then we’ll segue to an AL West battle between the Oakland A’s and the Seattle Mariners.

Washington Nationals (64-92) at Colorado Rockies (71-84), 8:40 p.m. ET

It looks like another high-scoring game is on tap at Coors Field on Monday night as the Nationals visit the Rockies.

Josiah Gray gets the nod for Washington, and he owns an 8.38 ERA through four starts in September. That includes his recent outing against Colorado on Sept. 17, where he allowed five earned runs over 5 1/3 innings at home. Once Gray exits, the Nats’ dreadful bullpen – which has produced a 6.90 ERA over the last two weeks (29th in that span) – will take over.

German Marquez responds for the Rockies, and it’s been rough going for him lately. He’s given up 11 earned runs over his last two starts (eight innings combined), including six to Washington on Sept. 17. The Nats’ lineup has plated just over five runs per game in September, so look for them to get to Marquez early.

Keibert Ruiz is batting .435 over the last week for Washington with two home runs, so don’t be surprised if he’s leading the way on offense in this one.

MLB pick: Over

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Oakland A’s (85-71) at Seattle Mariners (86-70), 10:10 p.m. ET

The Mariners swept the A’s last week, and have won seven of their last eight overall. The fact that they’re available at this price at home on Monday night is surprising.

Cole Irvin starts for Oakland, and his splits against Seattle this season are far from encouraging. He’s 0-4 with a 7.56 ERA over four starts. Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford is 5-for-11 (.455) off Irvin all-time, and is batting .344 with a homer over the last week, so look for him to help generate offense for his club here.

Chris Flexen counters for Seattle, fresh off seven innings of one-run baseball against these A’s last Wednesday. Flexen owns a robust 3.09 ERA and 1.145 WHIP over 87 1/3 innings of work at home this season, so bettors should back him with confidence in this spot.

MLB pick: Mariners -112