In this article we will formulate a Nationals vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Friday, July 3rd at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Washington Nationals Betting Preview
The Washington Nationals are 45-43 this year after they won two out of three against the Red Sox by scores of 3-6, 8-1, and 10-2. In game three, Washington scored the first 10 runs in the game and they cruised to the easy win. The Nationals recorded 13 hits in the game and they were led by Wood, who went 2-4 with one home run and three RBIs. Alvarez allowed two hits and zero earned runs over 4.2 innings for the win, while Cornelio allowed two earned runs in relief. Prior to that series, Washington won two out of three against the Orioles, but lost three out of four against the Phillies before that.
This season, Washington has a 4.63 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP and a .256 opponent batting average, while they have scored 470 runs with a .248 batting average and a .321 on base percentage. CJ Abrams has led the Nationals with 18 home runs and 60 RBIs, while James Wood has added 22 home runs and 55 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Foster Griffin, who is 8-2 with a 2.93 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP over 98.1 innings pitched this year.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 44-44 this season after they split four games with the Phillies by scores of 11-7, 0-8, 6-10, and 6-1. In game four, Philadelphia led 1-0 in the third inning, but they allowed the last six runs for the loss. The Phillies recorded four hits in the game and they were led by Harper, who went 1-4 with one RBI. Rangel allowed three hits and zero earned runs over 4.0 innings, while Alvarado picked up the loss in relief. Prior to that series, Pittsburgh lost two out of three against the Reds, but did win two out of three against the Mariners before that.
This season, Pittsburgh has a 4.24 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and a .237 opponent batting average, while they have scored 452 runs with a .260 batting average and a .338 on base percentage. Brandon Lowe has led the Pirates with 20 home runs and 57 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added 11 home runs and 53 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Mitch Keller, who is 6-5 with a 4.87 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP over 94.1 innings pitched this season.
Why the Washington Nationals will win
- The Pirates have lost 10 of their last 11 road games against NL East opponents following a road win.
- The Nationals have won 13 of their last 16 night games against the Pirates at Nationals Park following a win.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven games against the Nationals following a win.
- The Nationals have covered the run line in five of their last six games as favorites.
- The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last seven road games.
- The Nationals have won the first inning in four of their last five night games against National League opponents.
- The Nationals have led after 5 innings in seven of their last eight games as favorites against National League opponents.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Nationals have lost each of their last four games as home favorites following a road win.
- The underdogs have won four of the Nationals’ last five games.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight Friday night games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
- The Pirates have covered the run line each of their last four games at Nationals Park against teams that held a winning record.
- The Nationals have lost the first inning in three of their last four games.
- The Pirates have led after 5 innings in eight of their last 10 night games against the Nationals.
- The Nationals have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four home games against NL Central opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Nationals’ last four home games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Five of the Pirates’ last six night games against NL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Nationals’ last four games.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in five of the Pirates’ last six night games against NL East opponents.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- Curtis Mead has hit a home run in four of the Nationals’ last five games against NL opponents.
- Foster Griffin has recorded a win in seven of his last nine appearances in night games.
- Nasim Nunez has recorded two hits in each of the Nationals’ last four games as favorites.
- Nasim Nunez ranks 1st in the league in Steals (32) this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in five of his last eight appearances against the Nationals.
- Mitch Keller has recorded four or more strikeouts in each of his last 10 appearances in night games against NL East teams that held a winning record.
- Jake Mangum has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 road appearances.
- Bryan Reynolds ranks 7th amongst qualified players for On Base Percentage (.395) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nationals rank T1st in the league for RBIs this season (446).
- The Nationals rank 2nd in the league for runs scored this season (470).
- The Pirates rank T1st in the league for hits this season (794).
- The Pirates rank 30th in the league for strikeouts against this season (834).
Nationals vs Pirates Prediction
Washington comes into this matchup after winning four of their last five games and they have scored 18 runs in their last two games. The Nationals are 17-25 at home this year, while the Pirates are 21-22 on the road. Pittsburgh has won three of their last five games, but they have allowed 6+ runs in three of their last four. The Pirates are starting Keller, who has allowed 3+ earned runs in four of his last five starts, while Griffin has allowed one earned run or fewer in five straight outings. Take the Nationals here.