The Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates meet Thursday in MLB action at PNC Park. Here’s a Pirates vs Nationals Prediction. This article will include a Pirates vs Nationals Pick.
Washington Nationals Betting Preview
The Washington Nationals are 7-11 on the year and play the Rockies, Orioles, and Mets next. The Washington Nationals are batting .229 on the season, have a .306 OBP, and a .375 slugging percentage. The Washington Nationals pitching staff has a 5.25 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. Keibert Ruiz leads the Washington Nationals with 20 hits and 11 RBI, while Nathaniel Lowe and James Wood have combined for 33 hits and 29 RBI.
Trevor Williams gets the ball for the Washington Nationals, and he is 1-1 with a 7.36 ERA and 11 strikeouts this season. Williams is 2-1 with a 4.82 ERA and 21 strikeouts in his career against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 7-12 on the year and play the Guardians, Angels, and Dodgers next. The Pittsburgh Pirates are batting .198 on the season, have a .283 OBP, and a .302 slugging percentage. The Pittsburgh Pirates pitching staff has a 4.02 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. Isiah Kiner-Falefa leads the Pittsburgh Pirates with 16 hits and 5 RBI while Bryan Reynolds and Ke’Bryan Hayes have combined for 28 hits and 16 RBI.
Andrew Heaney gets the ball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he is 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA and 18 strikeouts this season. Heaney is 0-2 with a 5.14 ERA and 17 strikeouts in his career against the Washington Nationals.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Nationals have lost 16 of their last 18 road games after playing the previous day.
- The Pirates have won six of their last seven games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have covered the run line each of their last seven Thursday games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight Thursday games as underdogs.
- The Pirates have won the first inning in six of their last eight home games against NL East opponents.
- The Pirates have led after 5 innings in seven of their last eight games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
- The Nationals have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five Thursday games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
Why the Washington Nationals will win
- The Pirates have lost each of their last five games as favorites following a win.
- The underdogs have won five of the Pirates’ last seven games at PNC Park.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games against National League opponents following a win.
- The Nationals have covered the run line in five of their last six day games against National League opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pirates rank 30th in the league for batting average this season (.198).
- The Pirates rank 30th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.302).
- The Nationals rank 29th in the league for ERA this season (5.25).
- The Nationals rank 28th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.279).
Pirates vs Nationals Prediction
The Nationals are having a rough week, and I doubt things improve with Williams on the mound. Through 14.2 innings, Williams has allowed 23 hits and 12 runs. Williams just slowed eight hits and six runs to the Marlins, which isn’t ideal. The Pirates need to take advantage of games like this at home if they’re going to do anything this season, and Heaney is usually a reliable veteran who gives his team a shot most nights. Heaney is averaging a strikeout per inning and has allowed six runs through 18 frames. The price is cheap. Give me the Pirates at home.