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The Washington Nationals (62-77) and Pittsburgh Pirates (65-74) open a 4-game set Thursday. First pitch from PNC Park is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Nationals vs. Pirates odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Pirates lead 2-1
The Nationals fell 4-3 in 10 innings against the Miami Marlins Wednesday as -138 road favorites. Washington erased a 2-run deficit with a 3-run 8th inning, but RP Jose Ferrer allowed a game-tying RBI single in the bottom of the 8th and RP Derek Law gave up a walk-off RBI single in the 10th.
The Pirates snapped a 2-game winning streak Wednesday with a 12-0 loss against the Chicago Cubs as +177 road underdogs. Pittsburgh was the victim of a no-hitter while SP Domingo German allowed 6 ER in 3 innings to pick up the loss.
Nationals at Pirates projected starters
RHP Jake Irvin vs. LHP Bailey Falter
Irvin (9-11, 4.08 ERA) makes his 29th start. He has a 1.19 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 7.6 K/9 through 161 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 4 2/3 IP, 7 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 6 K in 7-6 home setback against Cubs Friday
- Has never faced Pirates
Falter (6-7, 4.41 ERA) makes his 24th start. He has a 1.29 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 6.3 K/9 through 116 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 2 K in 10-8 loss at Cleveland Guardians Friday
- Career vs. Nationals: 3-0, 2.22 ERA (24 1/3 IP, 6 ER), 1.07 WHIP, 8.5 K/9 in 7 appearances (4 starts), including 1-0 with 1.50 ERA (6 IP, 1 ER) in 1 start last year
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Nationals at Pirates odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:38 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nationals +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Pirates -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Nationals -1.5 (+170) | Pirates +1.5 (-210)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Nationals at Pirates picks and predictions
Prediction
Pirates 4, Nationals 3
Moneyline
BET PIRATES (-120).
Washington has lost 4 of its last 5 games and scored 3 or fewer runs in 3 of its last 4. Irvin has struggled recently. The Nationals have gone 2-4 in his last 6 starts, with him allowing 4 or more ER in 4 of the 6 outings. Pittsburgh has won 2 of its last 3 games and 3 of its last 5. It has scored 5 runs in 2 of its last 3.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
There is better value on the Pirates’ ML.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 8.5 (-115).
The Nationals have hit the Under in 8 of their last 10 games, including 3 of their last 4. They scored 3 runs or fewer in each of the 3 Unders and have put up 4 or fewer in 6 of their last 10 games. The Pirates were held hitless Wednesday and will expectedly bounce back; however, they have scored 3 or fewer runs in 3 of their last 5 games.
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