The Washington Nationals and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet Friday in MLB action from PNC Park. Here’s a Pittsburgh Pirates vs Washington Nationals prediction. This will be the second installment in a four-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Pirates vs Nationals pick.
Washington Nationals Betting Preview
The Nationals played a quick two-game set versus the Miami Marlins this week. Washington won 6-2 in the opener, then on Wednesday the Nats took a 4-3 loss. In Thursday’s opener versus Pittsburgh, Washington skidded to a 9-4 loss. Starting pitcher Jake Irvin lasted 5.0 innings with six earned runs.
As a starter for Friday’s game, the Nationals will send out DJ Herz. So far Herz is 2-7 with a 4.09 ERA in the first 15 starts of his career.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
Over on the Pirates’ side, they played the Chicago Cubs this week, winning the first pair 5-3 and 5-0. On Wednesday Pittsburgh was blown out 12-0 to halt the sweep. In Thursday’s matchup, the Pirates posted five runs in the second inning and never looked back. Bailey Falter went 5.0 innings in the start with three earned runs.
In the starter slot for Friday, the Pirates are going with Luis Ortiz. This year Ortiz is 6-4 with a 3.19 ERA in 33 games (11 starts). Ortiz is 11-11 with a 3.92 ERA in 55 games (30 starts).
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Nationals’ last seven night games against NL Central opponents has gone OVER the total runs line.
- Seven of the Pirates’ last eight night games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Pirates’ last three home games.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Andrew McCutchen has recorded at least one RBI in eight of his last nine appearances.
- Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one Single in eight of the Pirates’ last nine games as home favorites against the Nationals.
- Connor Joe has recorded at least one Double in four of his last five appearances with the Pirates as favorites against NL East opponents.
- Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last 10 games as favorites against NL opponents.
- Yasmani Grandal has scored a run in each of his last six home appearances.
- Michael A. Taylor has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances with his team as a home favorite against NL East opponents.
- Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one total base in each of the Pirates’ last 10 games as favorites against NL opponents.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- Joey Gallo has recorded a Double in three of his last four appearances with his team as an underdog against the Pirates.
- Joey Gallo has hit a home run in each of his last two road appearances against the Pirates.
- Ildemaro Vargas has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances against NL Central opponents.
- CJ Abrams has scored at least one run in seven of his last eight road appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Ildemaro Vargas has recorded at least one total base in each of his last eight appearances against NL Central opponents.
- CJ Abrams has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last three appearances against the Pirates.
- Ildemaro Vargas has recorded at least one Single in each of his last seven appearances against NL Central opponents.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Washington Nationals Prediction
I’m going with the Pirates. Ortiz has been good over his last two starts. In that pair, he’s 1-0 with 12.0 innings, zero earned, five hits and four walks. As for Herz, he’s coming off a loss to the Cubs with four earned in 4.2 innings. That said, Herz had 5.0 clean frames in a no-decision versus the Braves prior to that.
On Thursday the Pirates had a couple of big innings at the plate and the bullpen did the rest. Nick Gonzales came away with three RBI and just about everybody got in on the action. I like Pittsburgh to keep it up in game two.