The Dodgers are in a tough spot with an ineffective bullpen carrying a heavy fatigue rating, already without Justin Turner and likely to be minus Howie Kendrick and traveling to the West Coast after getting buried by the Pirates in Pittsburgh in the ESPN Sunday Night Game.



Once you get past Clayton Kershaw and Zach Greinke, the Dodgers' pitching isn't that good. Lefty Brett Anderson is facing a desperate Washington lineup that now is fully healthy with the exception of Denard Span. The key for the Nationals is that their big right-handed bats, Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth, are hot.



The Nationals are pitching Gio Gonzalez, who has thrown seven straight games where he's allowed two earned runs or fewer. He's 4-0 with a 1.77 ERA during this time frame. Gonzalez also has a good history against the Dodgers with a 2.50 ERA in three career starts.



Skeptics can point to Gonzalez's 3-3, 4.80 ERA on the road this season. Gonzalez, however, has been pitching his best away ball of the season giving up only three earned runs during his past three road outings spanning 15 2/3 innings. Gonzalez has 16 strikeouts during this road span.

In addition to this free selection, long-time Las Vegas wise guy Stephen Nover has his Total of the Week going today. Stephen is sizzling going 24-10 on his last 34 premium baseball plays.