Pirates vs. Nationals Pick
Will the Pittsburgh Pirates and host Washington Nationals struggle to score runs Saturday night? Game time is 7:05PM EST.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Nationals are listed as a -250 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Pirates are a +210 underdog and the over-under is set at 7.5.
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Jameson Taillon (8-7, 4.62 ERA) will draw the start for Pittsburgh, while Washington counters with Max Scherzer (16-6, 2.55). Taillon holds a 1.52 WHIP with 126 strikeouts over 120 2/3 innings. He allowed one earned run on four hits with six strikeouts and one walk over five innings in a 4-1 home win over the Cardinals his last start. Taillon has a 3.94 ERA in 48 road innings. Scherzer boasts a 0.91 WHIP with 263 strikeouts in 197 1/3 innings. He gave up one earned run on three hits with 10 strikeouts and one walk over six innings in a 3-2 win at the Mets his last outing. Scherzer has a 3.36 ERA in 93 2/3 innings at home.
The Pirates are 73-87 overall and 29-50 on the road, while the Nationals come in at 97-63 and 47-32 at home. Washington has won three out of five in the season series and the over-under is 2-2-1 in those games.
Friday night’s game saw the Nationals claim a 6-1 victory as Ryan Zimmerman went 4-for-4 with two home runs, two doubles and four RBIs. Trea Turner was 2-for-3 with a walk, a run and a stolen base. Anthony Rendon finished 2-for-4 with a run. Daniel Murphy was 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Jayson Werth ended the night 2-for-4 with a solo home run. Stephen Strasburg threw 7 2/3 shutout innings as he gave up two hits, struck out eight and walked two. Starling Marte went 2-for-4 with a run to pace the Pirates. Gerrit Cole allowed three earned runs over 5 1/3 innings to take the loss.
Any time Scherzer is on the mound, runs will probably be difficult to come by. Add into it that the Pirates offense has had a fair share of struggles and Washington might rest some key players makes this a prime opportunity for the under to hit.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: WASHINGTON NATIONALS UNDER 7.5