Pirates vs Nationals Prediction 4/16/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Pirates vs Nationals prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, April 16th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 11-7 this season after they won two of the first three games in this series by scores of 16-5, 4-5, and 2-0. In game three, Pittsburgh scored both of their runs in the first inning, which was enough to get the shutout win. The Pirates recorded five hits in the game and they were led by Ozuna and Gonzales, who both had one RBI. Montgomery opened the game, while Mlodzinski pitched six innings and got the win. Prior to this series, Pittsburgh won two out of three against the Cubs, but lost two out of three against the Padres before that. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 3.25 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and a .219 opponent batting average, while they have scored 88 runs with a .244 batting average and a .337 on base percentage. Oneil Cruz has led the Pirates with five home runs and 16 RBIs, while Brandon Lowe has added seven home runs and 15 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Braxton Ashcraft, who is 1-1 with a 2.12 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP over 17.0 innings pitched this season. 

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

The Washington Nationals are 8-10 this year after they lost game three by a score of 2-0 on Wednesday night. Washington fell behind in the first inning, but they pitched a great game in the disappointing loss. The Nationals recorded three hits in the game and they were led by Abrams, who went 1-1 with one walk. Irvin allowed four hits and two earned runs over 5.0 innings for the loss, while Lord finished the last three innings. Prior to this series, Washington won all three against the Brewers, but lost two out of three against the Cardinals before that.

This season, Washington has a 5.89 ERA with a 1.56 WHIP and a .258 opponent batting average, while they have scored 99 runs with a .263 batting average and a .337 on base percentage. CJ Abrams has led the Nationals with six home runs and 19 RBIs, while James Wood has added five home runs and 14 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Foster Griffin, who is 2-0 with a 1.76 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP over 15.1 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Pirates have won 12 of their last 13 day games at PNC Park following a win.
• The Nationals have lost each of their last five day games following a loss.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in 10 of their last 11 day games at PNC Park following a win.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five day games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Nationals have trailed after 5 innings in 11 of their last 12 day games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Pirates have won the first inning in three of their last four day games against the Nationals.
• The Nationals have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last six Thursday games.

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The Nationals have won eight of their last nine games as underdogs against NL Central opponents following a loss.
• The Pirates have lost five of their last six games as favorites against the Nationals following a win.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last eight road games following a loss.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games against the Nationals following a win.
• The Nationals have won the first inning in three of their last four games at PNC Park against opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts

• Five of the last six games between the Nationals and Pirates at PNC Park have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Five of the Nationals’ last six day games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Nationals’ last nine games at PNC Park.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Pirates’ last five home games against NL East opponents.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Oneil Cruz has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last nine day games.
• Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in four of his five previous home appearances against the Nationals after playing the previous day.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 17 road appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• CJ Abrams has hit a home run in three of his last four road appearances against the Pirates.

Pirates vs Nationals Prediction 

Pittsburgh comes into this matchup after winning two of the first three games in this series and they will try for the series win here. The Pirates are 6-3 at home this year, while the Nationals are 7-5 on the road. Washington has been very good offensively to start the season, but they are second to last in the MLB in team ERA. Both of these starters have solid numbers so far this year and I think this one could go either way, so I will take the Nats and the plus money.