Nationals vs. Marlins Prediction and Odds for Thursday, June 9 (Stephen Strasburg Is BACK)

Do you hear something?...Wait, that can't be who I think it is, right? Holy smokes, sound the alarms. This is not a drill!

2019 World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg will make his first major league start in over a year as the Miami Marlins host the Washington Nationals at 6:40 p.m. EST tonight.

Strasburg is one of my favorite pitchers I've ever watched and I'm thrilled he's back. The 33-year-old phenom has been a part of sports for as long as I can remember. This is appointment television.

His return couldn't come at a better time for the struggling Nationals, who are desperate for any hope to cling to as their season fell apart before it could even get off the ground. But they'd won three straight heading into this series, so perhaps Strasburg's return can help them go on a run before the All-Star break.

Trevor Rogers will start for Miami, bringing a 2-5 record and 5.80 ERA into the contest. The Marlins are 2-8 in his 10 starts as he's struggled to recapture the promise he showed in a stellar 2021 campaign.

Can Rogers spoil Strasburg's return or will the 33-year-old cyborg pick up right where he left off? Let's check out the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook to help find the value in this electric Nationals vs Marlins matchup:

Nationals vs Marlins Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

• Nationals +1.5 (-180)
• Marlins -1.5 (+155)

Moneyline:

• Nationals: +102
• Marlins: -122

Total:

• 8.0 (Over -105/Under -115)

Nationals vs Marlins Prediction and Pick

There is absolutely no way Trevor Rogers and the Marlins should be favored over Stephen Strasburg. I don't care that he hasn't pitched in a year. I don't care that the Nationals are bad. I don't care, I don't care, I don't care.

Strasburg struggled in his first rehab start, which was to be expected. But in his last two he returned to the dominant form we've all come to know and love. In 11 innings, Strasburg surrendered just a single hit and struck out 10 batters while issuing only two walks. The guy's still got it, everyone.

Trevor Rogers, however, does not have it. He's been dreadful this year, ranking among the league's worst pitchers in virtually every statistical category. Rogers has an almost offensive 10.57 ERA at home.

The Nationals already have the third-highest OPS in MLB on the road and will be energized by Strasburg's return. Just take a look at Rogers' MLB Statcast Pitching Profile and tell me this guy should be favored over the former World Series MVP:

Give me a break. Don't overthink this and don't second-guess yourself. Roll with Strasburg at plus money against one of the worst starters in the sport. This is not a drill, Strasburg is back, baby!

Pick: Nationals (+102)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.