Anthony Rendon and the Washington Nationals are preparing to do battle against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in a Thursday night game. This NL showdown begins at 7:05 p.m. ET and fans can watch it on ATPT and MASN.
Washington Nationals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Sportsbooks have Washington (-190) as the favorite over Pittsburgh (+180). If you’re thinking this game’s total is going to go under 8.5 runs, then bookmakers are teeing up -110 odds. Playing the over can return -110 odds. This game currently has a runline of Nationals -1.5 (-135) and Pirates +1.5 (+115).
The Pirates are 52-74 straight up (SU) and 60-65 against the spread (ATS). The team has lost 11.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 20.9 units ATS. The Nationals, on the other hand, are 69-57 SU and have gone 69-56 ATS. Overall, the club has lost 5.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline, but have gained 9.8 units ATS.
Pittsburgh games have had an over/under record of 70-49-6 in 2019. The Nationals have an over/under record of 58-61-6.
Max Scherzer is getting the start for the visiting Nationals. The right-handed Scherzer is 9-5 with a 2.41 ERA and 189 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with seven strikeouts and a 3.38 ERA against Pittsburgh this year.
The Pirates are turning to lefty Steven Brault (3-2, 4.06 ERA), who has 70 strikeouts and 37 walks as well as a WHIP of 1.42. Brault has yet to face the Nationals this year and did not register a start against them in 2018.
Washington’s pitchers have allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.53 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 9.49 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 6.09, along with a WHIP of 1.21 and a K/9 of 9.07.
The Nationals offense has slashed .262/.342/.452 on its way to 5.3 runs scored per game in 2019, including 9.1 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 11.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Third baseman Anthony Rendon and outfielder Adam Eaton continue to lead Washington’s hitters. Rendon is slashing .323/.402/.607 with 27 home runs, 100 RBIs and 90 runs scored, while Eaton (.291/.377/.438) is up to 11 homers, 40 RBIs, 86 runs and 13 steals.
For the home team, Pittsburgh’s pitchers have allowed 5.5 runs per game overall this year. The team’s starting pitching staff has a 5.32 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.76 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 9.7 K/9.
The Pittsburgh offense is putting up 4.6 runs per contest, including 4.2 per game over its last 10 games and 1.2 per game over its last five. The team has hit .174/.251/.245 over its last five matchups and is 1-4 SU during that span.
The Pirates’ offense has been led by right fielder Starling Marte and first baseman Josh Bell. Marte is slashing .289/.332/.502 with 22 home runs, 73 RBIs, 85 runs and 22 steals, and Bell’s line sits at .280/.365/.579 with 31 homers, 99 RBIs and 84 runs.
The Nationals have lost 4.5 units and are 15-15 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in 13 of those games, compared to 14 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Pirates have lost 3.9 units and are 47-46 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 49 of those games, as opposed to 39 which went under the total.
Nationals at Pirates Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in three of Washington’s last seven games.
- The Nationals have won three of their last four games SU.
- The Washington defense has coughed up two errors over the last 10 games, compared to eight errors for Pittsburgh over its last 10.
- The Nationals have hit 25 home runs in their last 10 games, including 17 over their last five.
- The Nationals have an OPS of .794 this season, including an OPS of .821 against left-handed pitchers. The Pirates’ OPS sits at .743 overall and .635 against southpaws.
