The streaking Washington Nationals will go for their fifth win in a row they play host to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park. The game gets underway 1:05 p.m. ET and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will broadcast this NL matchup.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals Odds
Washington (-125) is favored against Pittsburgh (+115) and Vegas has the Over/Under for this afternoon’s game at 8.5 runs. The odds for betting on the game’s total stand at -135 for the over and +115 for the under. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds sitting at Pirates +1.5 runs (-180) and Nationals +-1.5 runs (+160).
The Pirates have gone 17-14 SU this year and are 17-13 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 3.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline over the early portions of the season and 5.3 units ATS. The Nationals, on the other hand, are 15-16 SU and 14-16 ATS. They’ve lost 8.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 2.3 units ATS.
Washington games have an over/under record of 13-15-2 so far in 2018. The Pirates have an over/under record of 15-11-4.
Right-hander Trevor Williams is projected to start for the visiting Pirates. Williams is 4-1 with a 2.29 ERA and 23 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Nationals this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Nationals are sending righty Jeremy Hellickson (0-0, 4.11 ERA) to the mound. Hellickson has nine strikeouts and four walks to his name, as well as a 1.24 WHIP. Hellickson made two starts against the team in 2017, posting a 1-0 record in 2017, compiling a 1-0 record with a 3.00 ERA and six strikeouts.
As a unit, Washington’s pitching staff has allowed 4.2 runs per game overall this year. The team’s starters have a 3.40 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.75 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 10.0 K/9.
The Washington hitters have produced 4.7 runs per outing, including 5.7 per game over its last 10 games and 6.0 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .279/.354/.512 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
The Nationals’ batters have been led by Bryce Harper, who is hitting .268/.464/.598 with 10 home runs, 25 RBIs and 27 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Pittsburgh’s pitching staff allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starters own a 4.06 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 7.15 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.62, along with a K/9 of 9.41.
Pirates hitters have slashed .257/.329/.412 on their way to 4.8 runs scored per game this year, including 4.7 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Pittsburgh’s hitters have been led by Francisco Cervelli, who is hitting .310/.388/.595 with five home runs, 21 RBIs and 11 runs scored.
The Nationals are looking for another win following a 9-3 victory in the prior game of this series.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Washington Nationals Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The over has hit in four of Pittsburgh’s last seven games.
The Pirates have hit 11 home runs in their last 10 games. The Nationals have hit 14 over their last 10.
Pittsburgh fielders have 11 errors over the last 10 games, compared to two errors for Washington over its last 10.
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