Nationals vs Pirates Prediction - MLB Picks 9/14/23

The Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates face off on Thursday in an MLB showdown at PNC Park. The Pirates have won two of the three games played between the two teams this series. 

Nationals Need Gray to be Good

On the mound for the Nationals will be Josiah Gray who sits with a 7-11 record and an ERA of 4.13. In his last start against the Miami Marlins he went four innings giving up four hits and three runs. Two starts ago against the Blue Jays he went two innings giving up four hits and four runs. Gray needs to be better here. The Nationals are averaging 4.31 runs while their pitching is giving up 5.2 runs per game. The offense is ranked 21st in the league while the pitching is ranked 27th. 

Nationals Betting Trends

• The Nationals have won three of their last four games as underdogs against NL Central opponents following a loss.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last seven games as road underdogs against the Pirates following a road loss.
• The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Nationals' last four day games against National League opponents.

Pirates Offense has been Inconsistent

Especially coming into this game the Pirates offense has been inconsistent, and it seems the last week they are either going to score six or seven runs or they are going to score only one or two. In this game it needs to be a game where the offense finds success. The Pirates are averaging 4.19 runs while their pitching is giving up 4.81 runs per game. The offense is ranked 24th in the league while the pitching is ranked 21st. On the mound for the Pirates will be Mitch Keller who sits with an 11-9 record and an ERA of 4.23. In his last start against the Braves he went five innings giving up 12 hits and eight runs.