Washington Nationals vs. Los Angeles Angels Odds, Analysis, MLB Betting Pick

The Washington Nationals (57-36) will try to stay perfect since the MLB All-Star break when they wrap up a two-game interleague series against the Los Angeles Angels (46-50) as road favorites at the sportsbooks.

The Nationals won the series opener 4-3 on Tuesday, handing the Angels their 10th loss in 14 games.

Betting line: The Nationals opened as -122 favorites (wager $122 to win $100); the total is at nine runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. Line updates and matchup report.

MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 7.0-1.4, Nationals (MLB picks on every game)

Why the Nationals can pay on the MLB lines

Washington is 5-0 in the second half and has won six straight dating back to before the All-Star break. The team's bullpen survived a scare in the ninth inning by the Angels, holding on behind a 4-for-4 performance from Bryce Harper, who missed on hitting for the cycle when he was called out after going for a double.

The Nats are the second-best team in the National League behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, and they have won three of their last four interleague road games.

Why the Angels can pay on the MLB lines

The Angels are hoping former first-round draft pick Alex Meyer (3-5, 4.18 ERA) can do the job here in his return following a demotion. Meyer was sent down to Triple-A Salt Lake after surrendering five runs and six hits in five innings of a 9-5 road loss to the Minnesota Twins on July 3.

However, in his previous outing Meyer was instrumental in helping beat the Dodgers, pitching six scoreless innings and allowing only one hit with five walks and four strikeouts. The Angels would like to see a similar effort in this spot.

Smart betting pick

The 6'9" Meyer has been outstanding in six home starts this season, going 2-0 with a 1.65 ERA, and opposing hitters are batting only .161 against him there. On the flip side, Washington starter Gio Gonzalez (8-4, 2.66) has an ERA that is more than a run higher both on the road and at night when compared to the opposite of those splits.

While the Nats are the better team, Los Angeles still has a winning record at Angel Stadium despite the team's latest loss. Take Meyer and the Angels to pull off the upset at online betting sites.

MLB betting trends

Washington is 2-5 in its last seven games against Los Angeles.

The total has gone under in five of Los Angeles' last six games.

Los Angeles is 3-8 in its last 11 games.

All MLB lines and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.