The Washington Nationals and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet Saturday in MLB doubleheader action from PNC Park. Here’s a Pittsburgh Pirates vs Washington Nationals prediction. These will be the second and third installments 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
Early this week the Nationals took on the Miami Marlins. Washington split that one after a 4-3 Wednesday loss. Following a 9-4 loss to the Pirates in the weekend series opener, on Friday the Nats got a postponement due to the storms. We’ll have a Saturday doubleheader to make up for it.
In the starter slot for game one on Saturday it’ll be DJ Herz. So far Herz is 2-7 with a 4.09 ERA. For game two it’s Mitchell Parker. This year Parker is 7-9 with a 4.27 ERA in the first 25 starts of his career.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
Over on the Pirates’ side, they played the Chicago Cubs in their last set. Pittsburgh won the first pair before a 12-0 blowout loss Wednesday.
In game one the Pirates’ starter will be Luis Ortiz. This year Ortiz is 6-4 with a 3.19 ERA and 88 Ks. As a starter for game two, it’ll be Mitch Keller. So far Keller is 11-9 with a 3.88 ERA in 27 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
- Connor Joe has recorded at least one Double in four of his last five appearances with the Pirates as favorites against NL East opponents.
- 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.
- Oneil Cruz has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last nine home games.
- Yasmani Grandal has scored a run in each of his last six home appearances.
- Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one total base in each of the Pirates’ last 10 games as favorites against NL opponents.
- 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.
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.
- CJ Abrams has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last three appearances against the Pirates.
- 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 hit in each of his last eight appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Ildemaro Vargas has recorded at least one Single in each of his last seven 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.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pittsburgh Pirates rank 27th in the league for doubles this season (202).
- The Pittsburgh Pirates rank 27th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.371).
- The Washington Nationals rank 1st in the league for steals this season (190).
- The Washington Nationals rank 29th in the league for home runs this season (117).
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Washington Nationals Prediction
For game one I’ll probably stay Pirates. Ortiz is looking good over his last two starts. In that time he’s got 12.0 clean frames on five hits and four walks. Herz is coming off a loss to the Cubs with four earned in 4.2 innings, but he had 5.0 clean frames versus the Braves prior to that.
I might try the Nationals in game two. Parker is a tepid 1-2 in his last three starts but he hasn’t pitched terribly. In that trio, Parker has 17.0 innings with six earned runs on 17 hits and four walks. As for Keller, he’s 1-2 in his last three as well with 16.1 innings and six earned runs in that time.