Tag: Pirates Nationals odds picks prediction spread over/under betting line

Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

The Pittsburgh Pirates (5-1) and Washington Nationals (2-3) meet Thursday for the finale of a 3-game series. First pitch from Nationals Park is set for 4:05 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Pirates vs. Nationals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Tied 1-1

Washington picked up the 5-3 win over Pittsburgh in Wednesday’s game 2 of the series, covering as a +139 home underdogs. The Pirates scored first, plating 2 in the top of the 2nd inning, but the Nationals answered with a 4-run bottom half of the frame for a lead they never would relinquish. 1B Joey Gallo snapped an 0-for-12 streak to open the season with a 3-for-4 outing, including a solo homer in the 2nd.

The loss was Pittsburgh’s first of the season and ended a 5-game win streak. RHP Mitch Keller was credited with the loss, yielding 5 runs — 4 earned — in 5 1/3 innings. LF Jack Suwinski had 2 of the Pirates’ 4 hits, including a solo blast in the top of the 6th to cut the Bucs’ deficit to 4-3.

Pirates at Nationals projected starters

LHP Martin Perez vs. RHP Josiah Gray

Perez (0-0, 2.08 ERA) makes his 2nd start of the season. He has a 2.08 WHIP, 6.2 BB/9 and 4.2 K/9 through 4 1/3 IP.

  • Perez opened his 2024 campaign with a 7-2 win over the Miami Marlins Friday, allowing 1 ER on 6 H and 3 BB with 2 K
  • 2023 road splits: 5-3, 5.18 ERA (73 IP, 42 ER), 26 BB, 43 K in 11 starts and 7 relief appearances
  • Career vs. Washington: 0-2, 7.80 ERA (15 IP, 13 ER), 21 H, 5 BB, 10 K across 3 starts and 1 relief appearance

Gray (0-1, 15.75 ERA) also makes his 2nd start. He has a 2.50 WHIP, 4.5 BB/9 and 13.5 K/9 through 4 innings.

  • Gray opened his 2024 season with an 8-2 loss at the Cincinnati Reds March 28, allowing 7 ER on 8 H and 2 BB with 6 K
  • 2023 home splits: 4-6, 5.49 ERA (59 IP, 36 ER), 62 H, 38 BB, 48 K in 12 starts
  • Career vs. Pittsburgh: 1-1, 4.15 ERA (17 1/3 IP, 8 ER), 11 H, 9 BB, 20 K in 3 starts

Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! BHQ offers Draft Prep and full-season subscriptions. Sign up today and start winning!

Pirates at Nationals odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:20 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Pirates -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Nationals +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates -1.5 (+125) | Nationals +1.5 (-150)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: +100 | U: -120)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

Pirates at Nationals picks and predictions

Prediction

Pirates 7, Nationals 3

Moneyline

BET PIRATES (-135).

Pittsburgh has won 5 of its 6 games to start the season and is 4-1 in its last 5 matchups vs. the Nationals. The Pirates are also 4-2 in their last 6 matchups vs. the Nationals in D.C.

The Nationals have lost 2 of their last 3 games, and haven’t won back-to-back games since Sept. 19-20 of last season.

Run line/Against the spread

PASS..

Pittsburgh -1.5 (+125) should cover, but their odds are safer on the moneyline, especially with how impressive they’ve been to start the season.

I am also not a fan of doubling down on a team, backing them on the moneyline and the run line, but if you want to place a small wager here that’s fine. I’d recommend betting on the moneyline and/or total instead.

Over/Under

LEAN OVER 9 (+100).

The Over has hit in 5 of Pittsburgh’s 6 games, coming up short for the first time this season with Wednesday’s losing result. The Over is also 6-2 in its last 8 games dating back to last season.

For the Nationals, the Over is 4-1 to start their 2024 campaign. The Over has also hit in 2 of Pittsburgh’s last 3 wins vs. Washington.

This is only a lean because the Over and Under have been very even in recent meetings between these squads, going 5-5 in the last 10

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow @payton_shanks on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]

Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Pittsburgh Pirates (18-8) and Washington Nationals (9-15) clash in the opener of a 3-game set at PNC Park Friday. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Pirates vs. Nationals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting of 2023. The Pirates took 4 of 7 games in 2022.

Pittsburgh is back on the road where it is 8-2 over its last 10 games. The Pirates are fresh off a 6-1 homestand bolstered by a 2.29 ERA and had Thursday off.

Washington is just 2-9 at home this season. The Nationals are a bottom-third team at the plate, scoring just 3.88 runs per game (23rd) with a .665 OPS (26th), and they’ve scored 2 runs or fewer in 6 of their 11 home games.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

Pirates at Nationals projected starters

LHP Rich Hill vs. RHP Chad Kuhl

Hill (2-2, 4.85 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has a 1.42 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 7.6 K/9 through 26 IP.

  • Owns a road ERA of 3.58 since 2021
  • Current Washington batters own an aggregate .819 OPS against him

Kuhl (0-1, 7.36 ERA) is making his 5th start of the 2023 season. He has a 1.75 WHIP, 5.9 BB/9 and 6.9 K/9 through 18 1/3 IP.

  • Pitched for Pittsburgh from 2016-21
  • Ninety-six pitches over each of his last 2 starts have netted a total of just 8 1/3 IP

Pirates at Nationals odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:07 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: Pirates -132 (bet $132 to win $100) | Nationals +112 (bet $100 to win $112)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates -1.5 (+122) | Nationals +1.5 (-146)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW23 for $15 OFF a Draft Prep or full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 4/30/2023. Subscribe today and start winning!

Pirates at Nationals picks and predictions

Prediction

Pirates 4, Nationals 3

Moneyline

Peg the Pirates as being improved, perhaps to a .500 or slightly above level, but not to the one where they’re operating now. These clubs have played opposite slates so far, with Pittsburgh benefiting from playing the likes of the Cincinnati Reds (twice), Colorado Rockies and Chicago White Sox. The Nats have had to deal with the Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets and Minnesota Twins.

A different Washington starter would yield more confidence in the home nine here, but Kuhl has yielded a ton of barreled-up contact so far. The Nats are a lean but only an actionable one closer to a +120 return.

PASS.

Run line/Against the spread

Hill has thrown 95-plus pitches in each of his last 3 starts and that’s not something the 43-year-old southpaw does regularly. He has not hit that count in three straight games any other time in the last 5 years.

Washington has hit him well in the past and has been solid against lefty pitching (.760 OPS).

Both clubs have played more 1-run games than average. WASHINGTON +1.5 (-146) is worth a partial-unit play.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Over/Under

The Pirates are likely due for some peel-back on both sides of the runs/runs allowed equation. Rainy, breeze-in weather conditions and Kuhl’s yielding rocket contact are also factors working against each other.

PASS.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]

Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals odds and lines, with MLB expert picks and predictions.

The Pittsburgh Pirates (29-44) and Washington Nationals (28-48) play the 2nd of a 3-game series Tuesday at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Pirates vs. Nationals odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Season series: Pirates lead 3-2

The Pirates dropped Monday’s series opener 3-2 although emergency call-up RHP Miguel Yajure did a good job with 4 scoreless IP with 4 H and 3 BB allowed.

The Nationals entered the bottom of the 8th down 2-1, but scratched out 2 runs in the inning for the come-from-behind victory. Washington is now 5-2 in the last 7 games, hitting the Under in 5 of the last 6 contests.

Pirates at Nationals projected starters

LHP Jose Quintana vs. LHP Patrick Corbin

Quintana (1-4, 3.60 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.31 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 in 70 IP.

  • No-decision last time out Thursday against the Chicago Cubs at home with 2 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 6 K in 6 IP.
  • Hasn’t won in 8 consecutive starts, since May 9 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
  • Is 0-1 with a 4.44 ERA in 5 road starts with 24 1/3 IP.

Corbin (3-10, 6.60 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.79 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9 in 73 2/3 IP.

  • Allowed 2 ER, 3 H and 3 BB over 5 1/3 IP in a no-decision in his first outing against the Bucs in Pittsburgh April 17.
  • Is 2-5 with a 5.87 ERA and .292 opponent batting average over 38 1/3 IP in 8 home outings.

Pirates at Nationals odds and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:03 a.m. ET.

  • Money line (ML): Pirates +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Nationals -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates -1.5 (+160) | Nationals +1.5 (-200)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: +110 | U: -135)

Exclusive USA TODAY Network offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $200 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!

Pirates at Nationals picks and predictions

Prediction

Pirates 7, Nationals 5

Money line

The PIRATES (+100) are worth playing in the middle game of this set as they look for the bounce back. Corbin has been very giving for the Nationals (-120) this season, and while his splits are slightly better at home, he is still not very good. The Bucs have seemingly struggled everywhere lately, but they’re 5-2 in the previous 7 meetings with the Nats.

Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW22 for 20% OFF full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 6/30/2022. Subscribe today and start winning!

Run line/Against the spread

The PIRATES -1.5 (+160) are worth a roll of the dice on the run line. Pittsburgh has just 6 wins since June 5, but 4 of those victories were by 2 or more runs, and the offense should be able to jump on Corbin early and often.

Over/Under

The OVER 9.5 (+110) is a strong play at plus-money.

Both Quintana and Corbin have been putting up a lot of crooked numbers this season, and the offenses should both get well in this game. In fact, the Over is the best play on the board.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]

Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Monday’s Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals odds and lines, with MLB expert picks and predictions.

The Pittsburgh Pirates (29-43) and Washington Nationals (27-48) meet Monday in the opener of a 3-game series at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Pirates vs. Nationals odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Season series: Pirates lead 3-1

The Pirates took 3 of 4 games from the Nationals in Pittsburgh back on April 14-17, outscoring the Nationals 22-18. The Over went 2-0-2 in the series.

The Pirates enter on a 3-game slide after getting swept by the Tampa Bay Rays during a weekend interleague series in St. Petersburg.

The Nationals also played an interleague road series over the weekend, winning 2 of 3 games against the Texas Rangers. Washington is a respectable 4-2 across the past 6 outings.

Pirates at Nationals projected starters

RHP Miguel Yajure vs. RHP Erick Fedde

Yajure, who is getting called up from Triple-A Indianapolis, will likely be pitching in an opener role. He went 1-0 with a 11.32 ERA, 2.13 WHIP, 5.2 BB/9 and 3.5 K/9 in 10 1/3 IP (6 relief appearances) from April 10-May 1 before getting sent down to Indy.

  • Went 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA (12 2/3 IP, 6 ER), 1.66 WHIP, 5.7 BB/9 and 8.5 K/9 in 6 Triple-A games (5 starts) since his demotion
  • Made all 3 of his MLB starts last season, going 0-2 with an 8.74 ERA (11 1/3 IP, 11 ER)
  • Career vs. Nationals: 1 relief appearance (April 15), allowing 3 ER on 3 H and 2 BB in 3 IP

Fedde (5-5, 4.46 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.47 WHIP, 4.2 BB/9 and 7.2 K/9 through 68 2/3 IP.

  • Allowed just 2 H and 1 BB with 4 K across 6 scoreless IP in a 3-0 win at the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday to level his record at 5-5
  • Is 2-3 with a 5.03 ERA and .279 opponents’ batting average in 7 home starts across 34 IP

Pirates at Nationals odds and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2 p.m. ET.

  • Money line (ML): Pirates +122 (bet $100 to win $122) | Nationals -150 (bet $150  to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates +1.5 (-160) | Nationals -1.5 (+130)
  • Over/Under (O/U):  9.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Exclusive USA TODAY Network offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $200 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!

Pirates at Nationals picks and predictions

Prediction

Nationals 7, Pirates 4

Money line

The NATIONALS (-150) have been playing pretty good baseball lately. Washington jumped all over the Rangers in Sunday’s interleague series finale, scoring 6 runs in the first 2 innings. It ended up hanging on for a 6-4 victory, capping off the series win.

The Pirates scrambled to find a starter for this one, and they’ve dropped 3 in a row after taking 4 of 5 at home from the Chicago Cubs June 19-23.

Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW22 for 20% OFF full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 6/30/2022. Subscribe today and start winning!

Run line/Against the spread

The NATIONALS -1.5 (+130) have not only won 4 out of the past 6 games, but they have covered the run line in 3 of those wins. Play WASHINGTON lightly, laying the run and a half.

Over/Under

The OVER 9.5 (-110) is worth playing, as both of these teams are rolling out some shaky options to start on the mound. The Under is 4-1 in the past 5 games overall for the Nationals, but the Over hit in Sunday’s game as the offense came alive early. Look for similar results for the Nats Monday.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]

Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Tuesday’s Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Pittsburgh Pirates (23-42) and Washington Nationals (28-35) continue a three-game series at Nationals Park Tuesday with a 7:05 p.m. ET first pitch. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Pirates vs. Nationals odds with MLB picks and predictions.

LHP Tyler Anderson is the projected starting pitcher for the Pirates. Through a dozen starts this season, Anderson is 3-6 with a 4.52 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 8.1 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 over 67 2/3 IP.

Anderson is a fly-ball pitcher who has been undone by unplayable fly balls of late. He has yielded 3.1 HR/9 while hoisting a 6.84 ERA over his last 5 starts.

LHP Patrick Corbin is the projected starter for the Nationals. He is 3-5 with a 6.21 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 6.9 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 across 62 1/3 IP over 12 starts.

Corbin owns a 6.23 ERA over his last 5 starts. The veteran southpaw is tough on lefty bats (.533 OPS allowed this season, .639 career). Pittsburgh bats lefties vs. lefties 37% of the time (28% MLB average).

MLB betting offers/promotions

BetMGM Sportsbook offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA, WV and Washington D.C. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

  • Bet just $1 on either team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a home run during the game. Bet now!
  • RISK-FREE FIRST BET. Place your first bet, if it loses you’ll get up to $600 in free bets. Bet now!

Pirates at Nationals odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Pirates +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Nationals -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Pirates +1.5 (-150) | Nationals -1.5 (+125)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Prediction

Nationals 5, Pirates 3

Money line (ML)

Washington defeated Pittsburgh 3-2 in Monday’s opener, and the Pirates are just 5-17 over their last 22 games. They head into Tuesday’s contest on an eight-game losing skid.

Both teams have struggled in hitting the baseball with any authority of late. For the season. Washington is 29th in scoring with 3.7 runs per game; Pittsburgh is 30th, scoring just 3.5 runs per game.

The way the Nats have sequenced their base runners and their batting average on balls in play in high-leverage situations suggest an upside of perhaps 4.20-to-4.25 RPG. Statcast quality of contact metrics back up that analysis.

Corbin has been undone lately by high averages on balls in play. Before those issues, the veteran lefty had logged three straight solid games at home.

BACK THE NATIONALS (160).

FANTASY BASEBALL: Serious about winning your league? Sign up for BaseballHQ.com to dominate the competition. Subscribe now!

Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

Consider a WASHINGTON -1.5 (+125) play in concert with the above ML action. Six of Pittsburgh’s eight straight losses were by multiple runs; four were by 3 runs.

Over/Under (O/U)

PASS on a total with underlying signals pointing both up and down.

PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!

Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]

Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Monday’s Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Pittsburgh Pirates (23-41) and Washington Nationals (27-35) open a three-game series Monday with a 7:05 p.m. ET first pitch at Nationals Park. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Pirates vs. Nationals odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP JT Brubaker is the projected starting pitcher for the Pirates. He is 4-5 with a 3.90 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, and 2.0 BB/9 in 60 IP over 11 starts.

Since posting a tidy 2.58 ERA through his first 7 starts, Brubaker has yielded a 6.23 ERA in his last 4 outings.

LHP Jon Lester is the projected starter for the Nationals. He is 0-2 with a 4.19 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 6.3 K/9, and 3.7 BB/9 in 38 2/3 IP over 8 starts.

Lester issued a season-high 4 walks in his last outing, a 3 2/3-inning affair Tuesday against the Rays. His 3.7 walks per nine this season is his highest mark since 2007.

MLB betting offers/promotions

BetMGM Sportsbook offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

  • Bet just $1 on either team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a home run during the game. Bet now!
  • RISK-FREE FIRST BET. Place your first bet, if it loses you’ll get up to $600 in free bets. Bet now!

Pirates at Nationals odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:33 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Pirates +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Nationals -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Pirates -1.5 (+155) |  Nationals +1.5 (-190)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)

Prediction

Nationals 5, Pirates 4

Money line (ML)

The Pirates have been swept in two straight series and are just 5-16 over their last 21 games. The Nationals are coming off a weekend split against the Giants; they are 6-6 in their last dozen games.

Both teams have struggled in hitting the baseball with any authority of late. For the season. Washington ranks 28th in scoring with 3.76 runs per game; Pittsburgh ranks 30th, scoring just 3.48.

There are too many cross signals to put this game in any sort of high-confidence-wager category, but the NATIONALS (-115) are a “lean”. The way the Nats have sequenced their base runners and their batting average on balls in play in high-leverage situations suggest an upside of perhaps 4.20-to-4.25 RPG. Statcast quality of contact metrics back up that analysis.

Still, Brubaker is the more likable starter here. However, Pittsburgh does struggle mightily against lefties (.638 OPS), and Lester has held current Bucs bats to a .699 OPS and .096 isolated power in past meetings. Add in an advantage for the Nats bullpen over their counterparts from the Steel City.

FANTASY BASEBALL: Serious about winning your league? Sign up for BaseballHQ.com to dominate the competition. Subscribe now!

Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

PASS on the more juice-laden run line figures.

Over/Under (O/U)

Tag this game with enough double-digit probability to make for value on the OVER 8.5 (-120). A breeze out to left-center is in the forecast, and both bullpens could use a day off which may show in the latter innings.

PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!

Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]