Nationals vs Pirates Prediction 4/13/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Nationals vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Monday, April 13th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

The Washington Nationals are 7-8 this year after they swept the Brewers in three games by scores of 7-3, 3-1, and 8-6. In their game three win, Washington trailed 3-2 in the fifth inning, but they scored four runs in the seventh and two more in the eighth for the win. The Nationals recorded 12 hits in the game and they were led by Ruiz, who went 1-1 with two RBIs. Littell allowed six hits and three earned runs over 5.0 innings, while Poulin picked up the win and Varland got the save. Prior to that series, Washington lost two out of three against the Cardinals and all three against the Dodgers. 

This season, Washington has a 5.51 ERA with a 1.53 WHIP and a .253 opponent batting average, while they have scored 89 runs with a .272 batting average and a .343 on base percentage. CJ Abrams has led the Nationals with four home runs and 16 RBIs, while James Wood has added five home runs and 14 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Cade Cavalli, who is 0-0 with a 2.51 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP over 14.1 innings pitched this year. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 9-6 this season after they won two out of three against the Cubs by scores of 2-0, 4-3, and 6-7. In their game three loss, Pittsburgh led 6-2 in the fifth inning, but they allowed the last five runs in the game for the crushing defeat. The Pirates recorded seven hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Lowe, who went 2-4 with two home runs and five RBIs. Chandler allowed five hits and three earned runs over 5.1 innings, while Lawrence blew the save and Urquidy was charged with the loss. Prior to that series, Pittsburgh lost two out of three against the Padres, but did sweep the Orioles in three games before that. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 3.23 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP and a .222 opponent batting average, while they have scored 66 runs with a .238 batting average and a .328 on base percentage. Oneil Cruz has led the Pirates with five home runs and 13 RBIs, while Ryan O’Hearn has added three home runs and 12 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Paul Skenes, who is 2-1 with a 5.25 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP over 12.0 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Pirates have won 10 of their last 11 home games against NL East opponents following a loss.
• The Nationals have lost five of their last six road games against the Pirates following a win.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in 14 of their last 15 home games against NL East opponents following a loss.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in six of their last seven games against the Pirates following a win.
• The Nationals have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four games as underdogs.
• The Nationals have trailed after 5 innings in six of their last seven night games at PNC Park against NL Central opponents.

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The underdogs have won five of the Nationals’ last six games.
• The Pirates have lost five of their last six home games against National League opponents following a loss.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last eight games as road underdogs after playing the previous day.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine home games against National League opponents after playing the previous day.

Total Runs Facts

• Five of the last six games between the Nationals and Pirates have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Five of the Nationals’ last six night games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Pirates’ last eight games as favorites against NL East opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in five of the Nationals’ last six night games at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances with his team as a favorite against the Nationals.
• Jared Triolo has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 appearances in night games against NL East teams that held a losing record.
• Oneil Cruz ranks T4th in the league in Home Runs (5) this season.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• CJ Abrams has hit a home run in four of the Nationals’ last nine games as underdogs.
• CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in each of the Nationals’ last nine night games against opponents that held a winning record.
• James Wood ranks T4th in the league in Home Runs (5) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pirates rank 6th in the league for strikeouts this season (147).
• The Pirates rank T25th in the league for walks allowed this season (73).
• The Nationals rank 29th in the league for strikeouts this season (111).
• The Nationals rank 29th in the league for runs allowed this season (88).

Nationals vs Pirates Prediction 

Washington comes into this series after a very nice series sweep against the Brewers, but they have allowed 6+ runs in three of their last five games. The Nationals are 6-3 on the road this year, while the Pirates are 4-2 at home. Pittsburgh has won three of their last five games, but we will see how they respond to that tough loss on Sunday. The Pirates have a big advantage with Skenes on the mound, while Washington has one of the worst pitching staffs in the MLB. Take Pittsburgh -1.5 here.

David Racey's Pick: Pirates -1.5