The Washington Nationals and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet on Tuesday in MLB action from PNC Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Pirates vs Nationals Prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Washington Nationals will send out Jake Irvin for the start, and Irvin is 0-0 with a 5.63 ERA and 12 strikeouts this season. This will be Irvin’s second career start against the Pirates. Mitch Keller will get the start for the Pirates in this one and is 1-1 with a 4.24 ERA and 14 strikeouts this season. In his last five starts against Washington, Keller is 1-2 with a 5.00 ERA and 28 strikeouts.
Washington Nationals Recap
The Washington Nationals come into this game looking to bounce back from a 10-3 loss at the hands of the Pirates in Monday’s series opener to drop to 6-10 on the year. After this series, the Nationals will head on the road for a weekend series at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies.
Nationals Drop Third In A Row
Keibert Ruiz has a team-high 19 hits with a pair of doubles and a pair of home runs with 10 RBIs, while James Wood has 14 hits with 3 doubles and a team-high 5 home runs along with 11 RBIs. Nathaniel Lowe has 13 hits with a team-high 4 doubles and 15 RBIs, along with 3 home runs and 21 strikeouts. CJ Abrams has 4 home runs and 7 RBIs along with a team-high 4 stolen bases, while Paul DeJong has 4 doubles of his own and a team-high 22 strikeouts as well this season.
Why the Washington Nationals will win
- The Pirates have lost each of their last four games as favorites following a win.
- The underdogs have won four of the Pirates’ last five games at PNC Park.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games against National League opponents following a win.
- The Nationals have covered the run line in six of their last seven games as underdogs.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- Nathaniel Lowe has recorded at least one RBI in seven of his last eight appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Paul DeJong has recorded at least one Single in each of his last eight appearances in night games against NL teams that held a losing record.
- Keibert Ruiz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 appearances after playing the previous day.
- CJ Abrams has hit a home run in three of his last five appearances with the Nationals as underdogs.
- CJ Abrams has scored a run in six of his last seven appearances with the Nationals as underdogs.
- Keibert Ruiz ranks T6th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.364) this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Recap
The Pittsburgh Pirates will try to keep their momentum going after their beatdown win over the Nationals from Monday’s opening matchup to bring their record to 6-11 on the year. After this series, the Pirates will welcome the Cleveland Guardians to town for an interleague series.
Pirates Snap Three-Game Losing Streak
Isiah Kiner-Falefa has a team-high 13 hits and a .260 batting average, along with 4 stolen bases, while Oneil Cruz has a team-high 2 home runs, 5 RBIs, and 8 stolen bases. Ke’Bryan Hayes has added 11 hits with a double, a triple, a home run, and 5 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has 13 hits with 4 doubles, 2 home runs, and 6 RBIs but also has a team-high 23 strikeouts as well this season. Adam Frazier has also chipped in 6 RBIs of his own this season.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Nationals have lost each of their last 16 night games following a road loss.
- The Pirates have won eight of their last nine night games against NL East opponents.
- The home team has covered the run line in each of the Pirates’ last five games.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine night games against National League opponents following a road loss.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Andrew McCutchen has hit a home run in five of his last six home appearances against the Nationals after playing the previous day.
- Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one Double in four of the Pirates’ last five games as home favorites.
- Adam Frazier has scored at least one run in each of his last six appearances with the Pirates as home favorites against NL East opponents.
- Andrew McCutchen has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last nine home appearances against the Nationals after playing the previous day.
- Mitch Keller has recorded a win in four of his last five appearances against NL East opponents.
- Tommy Pham has recorded at least one Single in each of his last 13 appearances against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
- Mitch Keller has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last six appearances against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
- Tommy Pham has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 appearances against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
- Oneil Cruz ranks 1st in the league in Steals (8) this season.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Nationals’ last 10 night games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Six of the Pirates’ last seven home games have gone OVER the total runs line.
Pirates vs Nationals Prediction
I’m rolling with the Pirates here. I think I lean towards the over as well, but I trust Mitch Keller at home in this spot a lot more than I trust the Nationals after their showing in Monday’s matchup. The Nationals’ bullpen is a serious problem, and if it stays like this long-term, it’s going to continue being an issue, and it’s going to be a long year for the Nats. I think Pittsburgh can do enough to get the win here, so give me the Pirates on the road.