The Washington Nationals (3-4) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2-3) clash Thursday for a showdown at PNC Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Nationals at Pirates odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: 0-0. Washington won four of six meetings in 2021.
Washington’s season opened with three straight losses, but the Nationals have bounced back to go 3-1 over their last four games.
The Pirates are coming off a 6-2 win over the Chicago Cubs Wednesday. The Bucs coughed up 15 runs over their first 2 games but have yielded just 8 runs in going 2-1 since.
Nationals at Pirates: Projected starters
Nationals RHP Joan Adon vs. Pirates RHP JT Brubaker
Adon (0-1, 8.31 ERA) is making his second start of the season. He allowed 4 ER on 4 H and 4 BB through 4 1/3 IP in his debut.
- Making the third appearance of his career.
- Allowed 2 ER in 5 1/3 IP to the Boston Red Sox last season in his lone start.
Brubaker (0-1, 12.00 ERA) makes his second start. He allowed 4 ER on 4 H and 3 BB with 2 K across 3 IP in his first outing.
- Clocked a 5.36 ERA in 124 1/3 IP in 2021.
- Notched a 3.79 ERA in 11 home starts last year.
Nationals at Pirates odds, spread 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 9:13 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Nationals +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Pirates -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nationals +1.5 (-180) | Pirates -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: +110 | U: -135)
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Nationals at Pirates prediction and picks
Prediction
Nationals 5, Pirates 4
Money line
Adon has enough sneaky upside to make for some value on the NATIONALS (+105).
JT Brubaker can struggle against lefty bats (.829 OPS allowed in 2021). OF Juan Soto, 1B Josh Bell, and C Keibert Ruiz — a lefty and two switch hitters that are likely in slots 2, 4 and 5 in the batting order — offer up plenty of pop from that side, and much of Brubaker’s success at PNC boils down to favorable ball-in-play rates.
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Run line/Against the spread
PASS on a juice-drowned run line.
Over/Under
Bullpens in decent shape and not a lot of dangerous hitters make for a slight lean on the UNDER 9.5 (-122).
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