In this article we will formulate a Nationals vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, July 5th 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 46-44 this season after they split the first two games in this series by scores of 9-5 and 1-7. In game two, Washington tied the game at one in the first inning, but failed to score in the last eight innings for the loss. The Nationals recorded six hits in the game and they were led by Wood, who went 1-2 with one home run and one RBI. Palmquist allowed four hits and four earned runs over 1.0 inning for the loss, while Littell allowed four hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings in relief. Prior to this series, Washington won two out of three against the Red Sox and two out of three against the Orioles.
This season, Washington has a 4.66 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP and a .258 opponent batting average, while they have scored 480 runs with a .248 batting average and a .322 on base percentage. CJ Abrams has led the Nationals with 18 home runs and 60 RBIs, while James Wood has added 23 home runs and 56 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Cade Cavalli, who is 5-4 with a 3.69 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP over 90.1 innings pitched this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 45-45 this year after they won game two by a score of 7-1 on Saturday. Pittsburgh scored four runs in the second inning to take the lead and they never looked back in the lopsided win. The Pirates recorded 11 hits in the game and they were led by Lowe, who went 1-5 with two RBIs. Ashcraft allowed six hits and one earned run over 5.2 innings for the win, while Montgomery picked up a hold. Prior to this series, Pittsburgh split four games with the Phillies and lost two out of three against the Reds.
This season, Pittsburgh has a 4.27 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and a .238 opponent batting average, while they have scored 464 runs with a .261 batting average and a .339 on base percentage. Brandon Lowe has led the Pirates with 20 home runs and 60 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added 12 home runs and 55 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Bubba Chandler, who is 3-8 with a 4.62 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP over 85.2 innings pitched this year.
Why the Washington Nationals will win
- The Pirates have lost 11 of their last 12 road games against NL East opponents following a road win.
- The Nationals have won each of their last four games against the Pirates following a loss.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games against the Nationals following a win.
- The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last six games against the Pirates following a loss.
- The Nationals have led after 5 innings in eight of their last nine games as favorites against National League opponents.
- The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last seven games as road underdogs.
- The Nationals have won the first inning in each of their last three games as favorites against National League opponents.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Nationals have lost five of their last six games as favorites against NL Central opponents following a loss.
- The Pirates have won five of their last six day games after playing the previous day.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games as home favorites against NL Central opponents following a loss.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in eight of their last nine day games following a road win.
- The Pirates have led after 3 innings in four of their last five day games.
- The Nationals have trailed after 5 innings in 10 of their last 13 day games at Nationals Park against NL Central opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Seven of the Pirates’ last eight day games against NL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Six of the Nationals’ last seven games as favorites against National League 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 six games.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in eight of Bubba Chandler’s last 10 appearances as a starter.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- Luis Garcia has hit at least one home run in four of his last five home appearances.
- Cade Cavalli has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last four home appearances against NL opponents.
- Dylan Crews has recorded at least one hit in each of the Nationals’ last nine day games.
- Nasim Nunez ranks 1st in the league in Steals (32) this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Bryan Reynolds has hit at least one home run in each of the Pirates’ last two games as underdogs against the Nationals.
- Bubba Chandler has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last five appearances against NL opponents that held a winning record.
- Esmerlyn Valdez has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 appearances against NL opponents.
- Nick Gonzales ranks T6th in the league in Hits (96) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nationals rank 1st in the league for runs scored this season (480).
- The Nationals rank 1st in the league for RBIs this season (456).
- The Pirates rank 1st in the league for hits this season (818).
- The Pirates rank 30th in the league for strikeouts against this season (850).
Nationals vs Pirates Prediction
Washington comes into this matchup after winning three of their last four games and they have scored 8+ runs in all three of those wins. The Nationals are 18-26 at home this year, while the Pirates are 22-23 on the road. Pittsburgh has lost three of their last five games, but they have scored 6+ runs in three of their last four. The Pirates are starting Chandler, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts, while Cavalli has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three straight outings. Take the under here.