Nationals vs Pirates Prediction 4/17/25 MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Nationals vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, April 17th 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 7-11 this season and they have lost four of their last five games. Washington did win game two in this series by a score of 3-0, but they lost 6-1 on Wednesday. In that loss, the Nationals had trouble hitting the baseball, but they were able to score in the ninth to avoid being shutout. Washington recorded just three hits in the game and they were led by Call, who had their lone RBI in the loss. The Nationals started Parker, who allowed four hits and one earned run in the loss, while Lopez allowed two hits and four earned runs over 0.2 innings in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Nationals lost two out of three against the Marlins and won two out of three against the Dodgers. The Washington pitching staff has a 5.25 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP and a .279 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 77 runs with a .229 batting average and a .306 on base percentage this season. James Wood has led Washington with six home runs and 13 RBIs, while Nathaniel Lowe has added three home runs and 16 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Trevor Williams, who is 1-1 with a 7.36 ERA and a 1.77 WHIP over 14.2 innings pitched this season. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 7-12 this year and they have lost four of their last six games. Pittsburgh has won games one and three in this series by scores of 10-3 and 6-1. In that game three win, the Pirates scored the first six runs in the game and they were able to cruise to the win in the later innings. The Pirates recorded eight hits in the game and they were led by Cruz, who went 2-4 with one home run and four RBIs in the win. Pittsburgh started Falter, who allowed just two hits over 7.0 innings, while Ferguson and Shugart pitched the final two innings. 

Prior to this series, the Pirates lost all three against the Reds and won two out of three against the Cardinals. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 4.02 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and a .229 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 66 runs with a .198 batting average and a .283 on base percentage this season. Oneil Cruz has led Pittsburgh with three home runs and nine RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added two home runs and eight RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Andrew Heaney, who is 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP over 18.0 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Pirates will beat the Nationals 

• The Nationals have lost each of their last six Thursday games against NL Central opponents.
• The Pirates have won six of their last seven home games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last six Thursday home games against NL East opponents.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six games following a road loss.
• The Nationals have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six road games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
• The Nationals have trailed after 3 innings in six of their last eight games as road underdogs.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Nationals’ last four day games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Four of the Pirates’ last five games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Pirates’ last eight home games against NL East opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in four of the Nationals’ last five games at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Andrew Heaney has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last four home appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
• Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 15 Thursday day appearances at PNC Park.
• Tommy Pham has recorded at least one Single in each of his last six appearances in day games against NL East teams that held a losing record.
• Andrew McCutchen has scored at least one run in seven of his last eight home appearances against the Nationals after playing the previous day.
• Andrew McCutchen has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances against the Nationals after playing the previous day.
• Andrew McCutchen has recorded at least one RBI in 10 of his last 11 home appearances against the Nationals after playing the previous day.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• Trevor Williams has recorded five or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances against NL opponents.
• Jacob Young has recorded a hit in each of his last seven appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
• Jacob Young has recorded a Single in each of his last seven appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• CJ Abrams has scored at least one run in four of his last five appearances with the Nationals as road underdogs.
• CJ Abrams has hit a home run in three of his last five appearances with the Nationals as underdogs.
• CJ Abrams has recorded at least one RBI in five of his last six appearances against the Pirates.

Nationals vs Pirates Prediction 

Washington limps into this matchup trying to earn a series split with a win, but they have struggled over the last week. The Nationals have scored three runs or fewer in three straight games and they will face Heaney, who has allowed one earned run in two of his first three starts. Pittsburgh has a very similar record as Washington does and they are batting below .200 so far this year. The Pirates have been brutal at the plate this season, but they are facing Williams, who has allowed 12 earned runs over 14.2 innings. Take the Pirates to win here.