The Washington Nationals are playing for the first time this season while the Pittsburgh Pirates are coming off a win. The Pirates are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Nationals are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Marlins. First pitch is set for 4:05 ET.
Pirates vs Nationals
The Pirates Are Coming Off A Win
After a 9-7 win over the Marlins, the Pirates are slight underdogs in the second game of the series. The Pirates are +123 on the money line after scoring two runs in the 10th inning to win the series opener.
Rowdy Tellez hit a home run in the win, finishing with three RBI. Ke’Bryan Hayes and Jared Triolo each had two hits, while Alika Williams drove in two runs. Bailey Falter gave up six earned runs in four innings, but the Pirates’ bullpen held the Marlins scoreless over the final six innings.
Marco Gonzales Gets The Start For The Pirates
Marco Gonzales is coming off a season in which he made 10 starts and finished with a record of 4-1. His ERA for the year was 5.22, and his WHIP was 1.46. Gonzales made four quality starts and finished the season with an average of 1.8 walks per game. His strikeout-to-walk ratio for the season was 1.9, and he finished the year with a batting average allowed of .282.
Pirates Offense Breakdown
When looking at the Pirates’ offensive projections, we see that Ke’Bryan Hayes has the 2nd highest total hits projection in the league today and the highest on the team. Bryan Reynolds is 7th in the league in terms of total hits projections, and he has the highest home run projection on the team. Oneil Cruz is 2nd on the team in terms of home run projections.
The Nationals Are Coming Off A Win
The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Washington Nationals 6-5 in a close game. The Reds were -176 favorites heading into the game. The Reds scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win.
Both teams hit two home runs, and the Nationals had a 5-2 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth. Will Benson and Christian Encarnacion-Strand both hit home runs for the Reds. Jake Fraley and Spencer Steer both had multi-hit games.
MacKenzie Gore Gets The Start For The Nationals
MacKenzie Gore is coming off a season in which he made 27 starts and finished with a record of 7-10. His ERA for the season was 4.42, and he finished with a WHIP of 1.40. Gore made eight quality starts and allowed a total of 27 home runs. His strikeout-to-walk ratio for the season was 2.6, and he finished the season with an average of 2.1 walks per game.
Nationals Offense Breakdown
Our player projections have Lane Thomas as the top power threat in the Nationals lineup today. His home run projection is the best on the team and 14th best in the league. Joey Gallo has the 2nd best chance to go deep for the Nationals, and his odds are 17th best in the league. If you’re looking for a Nationals player to have a good overall offensive game, Joey Meneses has the best hits projection on the team and the 5th best odds to homer.
Pirates vs Nationals Prediction
Given that the Pirates are the underdogs, we really like them to pick up a win today on the money line. The payout for a Pirates win is -104, and we have them winning this one by a score of 6-4.
Looking at the starting pitchers, MacKenzie Gore is predicted to finish with six strikeouts, which is seventh-best among starters today. However, we have him finishing with a loss, and he is 15th in terms of starters to pick up a win.
All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!
* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.
Last updated:April 1, 2024 Nationals, Pirates