In this article, we will formulate a Nationals vs Pirates Prediction for this MLB matchup on Monday, April 13th in the opening game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Pittsburgh Pirates Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a 9-6 record this season and are sitting in the first place of the NL Central. They have a 4-2 home record and are coming off a 6-7 road loss against the Cubs. Their previous three games were a 4-3 and a 2-0 road win against the Cubs, and a 2-8 home loss against the Padres.
The Pirates have a .238 batting average this season, .328 OBP and .374 Slugging percentage. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has a 3.23 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. Oneil Cruz is the team’s best hitter with a .339 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 13 and adding a team-high 5 home runs.
Paul Skenes (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Pirates, and he has a 2-1 record, 5.25 ERA and 1.25 WHIP.
Washington Nationals Preview
The Washington Nationals have a 7-8 record this season and are sitting in the fourth place of the NL East. They have a 6-3 away record and are coming off an 8-6 road win against the Brewers. Their previous three games were a 3-1 and a 7-3 road win against the Brewers, and a 1-6 home loss against the Cardinals.
The Nationals have a .272 batting average this season, .343 OBP and .427 Slugging percentage. Washington’s pitching staff has a 5.51 ERA and 1.53 WHIP. CJ Abrams is the team’s best hitter with a .321 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 16. James Wood adds a team-high 5 home runs.
Cade Cavalli (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Nationals, and he has a 0-0 record, 2.51 ERA and 1.47 WHIP.
Washington Nationals @ Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends: April 13, 2026
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Paul Skenes Record this season: 2-1 ERA: 5.25
- Home Record: 1-0
- Last 5 against Nationals: 1-0
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Pirates have won each of their last eight home games against NL East opponents following a loss.
- The Nationals have lost six of their last seven games against the Pirates following a win.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last eight home games against NL East opponents following a loss.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games as underdogs against the Pirates following a win.
- The Pirates have led after 5 innings in each of their last four home games against NL East opponents.
- The Pirates have led after 3 innings in each of their last four home games against NL East opponents.
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Cade Cavalli Record this season: 0-0 ERA: 2.51
- Road Record: 0-0
- Last 5 against Pirates: 0-0
Why the Washington Nationals will win
- The Nationals have won each of their last four games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
- The Pirates have lost eight of their last nine home games against National League opponents.
- The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last eight road games after playing the previous day.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine home games against National League opponents.
- The Nationals have led after 5 innings in each of their last eight Monday night games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Pirates’ last four games after playing the previous day have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Five of the Nationals’ last six games as underdogs against the Pirates have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Pirates’ last nine night games.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in five of the Nationals’ last six games at PNC Park.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances against the Nationals.
- Oneil Cruz has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last 11 games.
- Brandon Lowe ranks T4th in the league in Home Runs (5) this season.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- CJ Abrams has hit a home run in three of the Nationals’ last five night games against NL opponents that held a winning record.
- CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 14 road appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- Nasim Nunez ranks T2nd in the league in Steals (7) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pirates rank 4th in the league for ERA this season (3.23).
- The Pirates rank T5th in the league for home runs allowed this season (11).
- The Nationals rank 30th in the league for home runs allowed this season (30).
- The Nationals rank 29th in the league for ERA this season (5.51).
Nationals vs Pirates Prediction
Both teams are tied 5-5 in their last 10 meetings and the Orioles are 2-1 in their last three meetings in Baltimore.
In this Nationals vs Pirates Prediction, the Pirates are coming as -225 home favorites. The Nats are coming off a series sweep against the Brewers but they are +185 underdogs just because they are up against Paul Skenes. Skenes stringed two quality starts after a terrible start to the season but Cavalli for the Nationals also has two earned runs in his last two starts. Washington is also second-best in baseball in runs scored and I expect them to keep this one game close, so take them by +1.5 runs in this one.