Pirates vs. Nationals Thursday Pick
The Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals will wrap up their four-game series on Thursday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. ET. Will the Pirates manage to pick up one victory over the Nats before getting out of town?
Game Snapshot & Odds
951 Pittsburgh Pirates (+100) at 952 Washington Nationals (-110); 8.5 runs
Thursday, May 3, 2018
1:05 p.m. ET, Nationals Park
TV: WSH (MASN)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Nationals as a -110 favorite. As of this writing, 54% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Pirates to beat the Nationals on the money line. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Pirates’ Williams earns another win to run record to 4-1
Trevor Williams allowed two earned runs, four hits and two walks with two strikeouts over six innings in a victory against the Cardinals on Saturday. Williams improved to 4-1 while lowering his ERA to 2.29, throwing 64 of his 104 pitches for strikes. The righty from Arizona State has posted four consecutive quality starts, and five in his six outings overall this season. Williams doesn’t strike out a lot of batters, but he also doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. He has allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his six outings while serving up just one homer through 35 1/3 innings in 2018.
Nationals’ Hellickson holds Diamondbacks to two runs
Jeremy Hellickson held the Diamondbacks to two runs over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision Saturday. Hellickson allowed five hits and a walk in his 5 1/3 innings, also striking out one. Two of the five hits were homers. A late rally by the Diamondbacks denied Hellickson his first win of the year, however, leaving him without a decision in three starts. He’s posted a 4.11 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in those three outings. He’ll continue searching for that first win Thursday against the Pirates.
MLB Betting Trends
Pittsburgh
The Pirates are 19-40 in their last 59 games in Washington but have still won five of their last seven games.
Washington
The Nationals are 1-4 in their last five games versus a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Prediction:
The Pirates are just 4-9 in their last 13 games versus a right-handed starter, have dropped six straight on the road, and are 0-6 in their last six games against the National League East. Washington is also 3-10 in Williams’ last 13 starts coming off a quality start in their last appearance and are 1-4 in his last five starts coming off four days of rest.
The Pick: Washington Nationals -110