The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to host the Washington Nationals at PNC Park. The opening pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will televise this NL matchup.
Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Vegas is listing Washington (-110) as the favorite over Pittsburgh (+100). The total stands at nine runs and bettors can take the over for +100 and the under for -120. The games runline odds sit at +135 for betting the Nationals -1.5 runs and -155 for the Pirates +1.5 runs.
The Nationals have gone 45-44 SU this year and are 42-46 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 14.5 units for moneyline bettors and 6.1 units ATS. Washington has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Pirates, on the other hand, are 41-48 SU and 39-49 ATS. They’ve lost 11.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 13.2 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the over has cashed in five of those seven.
Pittsburgh games have a 43-38-7 over/under record so far in 2018. Washington has been a strong under bet with a total record of 35-51-2.
Jefry Rodriguez is the probable starter for Washington. Rodriguez is 0-0 with a 5.52 ERA and 13 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Pirates this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Pirates will send righty Ivan Nova (4-6, 4.48 ERA) to the hill. Nova has 71 strikeouts and 17 walks to his credit, as well as a WHIP of 1.26. Nova is 0-1 with five strikeouts and a 9.64 ERA in one start against Washington this year.
As a unit, Pittsburgh’s pitchers have allowed 4.8 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have an ERA of 4.46, a WHIP of 1.30 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.6. The bullpen has a 4.50 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 9.9 K/9.
Pittsburgh’s hitters are putting up 4.4 runs per outing, including 4.0 per game over its last 10 games and 3.6 per game over their last five. The teams hit .249/.293/.376 over its last five matchups and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
Outfielders Corey Dickerson and Starling Marte have paced the Pirates hitters this year. Dickerson is slashing .308/.341/.458 with six home runs, 34 RBIs and 35 runs scored, while Marte is batting .282 with 10 homers, 38 RBIs, 46 runs and 22 stolen bases.
In the visiting dugout, Washington’s pitching staff allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.89 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 9.36 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.84, along with a WHIP of 1.23.
Nationals hitters have slashed .243/.324/.402 on their way to 4.4 runs scored per game this season, including 6.6 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 7.4 per game over the teams last five contests (3-2 SU).
Washington’s hitters have been led by shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Anthony Rendon, who’ve collectively swatted 23 home runs. Turner is slashing .278/.355/.419 with 11 home runs, 37 RBIs, 54 runs and 22 stolen bases, while Rendon (.280/.347/.511) is up to 12 homers, 39 RBIs and 37 runs scored.
The Nationals have gained 1.4 units and are 32-29 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The overs hit in 24 of those games, compared to 36 that’ve gone under against -handed starting pitchers.
Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The under has cashed in just two of Pittsburgh’s last seven games.
- The Nationals have hit 19 home runs in their last 10 games. The Pirates have hit eight over their last 10.
- Washington has recorded 27.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 26.6 over its last five.
