Pirates vs. Nationals Wednesday Pick
The Washington Nationals struggled in April but are off to a good start in May. They’ll look to sweep the Pittsburgh Pirates when the two teams meet at 7:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday night.
Game Snapshot & Odds
905 Pittsburgh Pirates (+175) at 906 Washington Nationals (-200); 8 runs
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
7:05 p.m. ET, Nationals Park
TV: PIT (ATTP); WSH (MASN)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Nationals as a -200 favorite. As of this writing, 64% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Nationals to beat the Pirates 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’ Nova pitches eight scoreless innings vs. Tigers
Ivan Nova scattered six hits over eight innings in the Pirates’ 1-0 win over the Tigers on Thursday. That lone run came in the bottom of the ninth, so Nova didn’t get the win. Still, he did lower his ERA to 3.32. He’s had an easy schedule thus far, having faced the Tigers twice and the Marlins once. The Tigers didn’t even have Victor Martinez or Jeimer Candelario in the lineup for this one. Nova will get the Nationals next time out.
Nationals’ Strasburg allows five runs in loss to Diamondbacks
Stephen Strasburg struggled in Friday’s loss to the Diamondbacks, allowing five runs on six hits over his 6 1/3 innings. On the plus side for fantasy owners, at least he managed to rack up seven strikeouts while walking two in the ballgame. A.J. Pollock was a thorn in his side, blasting a solo homer in the second inning and an RBI triple in the sixth. Strasburg, now 2-3 on the season, owns a 3.63 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 43/10 K/BB ratio in his 39 2/3 innings. He’ll do battle against the Pirates his next time out on Wednesday.
MLB Betting Trends
Pittsburgh
The Pirates are 19-40 in their last 59 games in D.C.
Washington
The Nationals have won six of Strasburg’s last eight starts against the Pirates.
Prediction:
The Pirates have dropped 10 of Nova’s last 13 road starts, are 0-6 in their last six games versus National League East opponents and have lost six straight on the road when facing a right-handed starter. On the other side, the Nationals have won 55 of Strasburg’s last 73 starts, are 35-17 in his last 52 home outings and are an impressive 10-1 in Strasburg’s last 11 starts when facing the National League Central.
The Pick: Washington Nationals -1.5