Pirates vs Nationals Prediction 9/14/2025 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Pirates vs Nationals prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, September 14th at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 65-84 this year after they split the first two games in this series by scores of 5-6 and 5-1. In their game two win, Pittsburgh trailed 1-0 in the sixth inning, but they scored five runs in the last two innings for the victory. The Pirates recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by McCutchen and Yorke, who both had two RBIs in the win. Pittsburgh started Chandler, who allowed two hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings, while Mlodzinski picked up the win. 

Prior to this series, the Pirates lost all three against the Orioles and all three against the Brewers. Pittsburgh has lost seven of their last eight games and they are last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 3.87 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and a .237 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 537 runs with a .232 batting average and a .305 on base percentage this season. Oneil Cruz has led Pittsburgh with 19 home runs and 56 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added 15 home runs and 71 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Mike Burrows, who is 2-4 with a 3.99 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP over 85.2 innings pitched this year. 

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

The Washington Nationals are 61-87 this season after they lost game two on Saturday by a score of 5-1. Washington really struggled at the plate in this game and only managed one run in the sixth inning. The Nationals recorded just three hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Hassell III, who went 1-3 with one RBI in the loss. Washington started Alvarez, who allowed three hits and zero earned runs over 6.0 innings, while Henry picked up the loss in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Nationals split four games with the Marlins and won two out of three against the Cubs. Washington has lost three of their last four games and they are last in the NL East standings. The Washington pitching staff has a 5.29 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP and a .266 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 633 runs with a .244 batting average and a .307 on base percentage this season. James Wood has led Washington with 27 home runs and 88 RBIs, while Josh Bell has added 20 home runs and 60 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Cade Cavalli, who is 3-1 with a 4.67 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP over 34.2 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Nationals will beat the Pirates

The Pirates have lost each of their last six road games against NL East opponents following a road win.
The Nationals have won five of their last six home games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four road games against NL East opponents following a road win.
The Nationals have covered the run line in six of their last seven home games against National League opponents.

Why the Pirates will beat the Nationals 

The Nationals have lost each of their last nine Sunday games at Nationals Park.
The Pirates have won each of their last six day games against NL East opponents.
The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 games as favorites against National League opponents following a loss.
The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last four day games against NL East opponents.
The Pirates have led after 5 innings in each of their last three games as underdogs against NL East opponents.
The Nationals have trailed after 3 innings in nine of their last 10 Sunday home games.

Total Runs Facts

Each of the Nationals’ last four games as favorites against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Five of the Pirates’ last six road games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Nationals’ last four games as home favorites against National League opponents.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in five of the Pirates’ last six games as underdogs against NL East opponents.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

Josh Bell has recorded at least one Double in each of his last three appearances with the Nationals as home favorites against NL Central opponents.
Josh Bell has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances with the Nationals as home favorites against NL Central opponents.
Josh Bell has hit at least one home run in three of the Nationals’ last seven games.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

Andrew McCutchen has recorded a Double in each of his last three appearances with his team as an underdog against the Nationals.
Andrew McCutchen has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 Sunday day appearances against teams that held a losing record.
Jared Triolo has hit a home run in two of the Pirates’ last three day games against NL opponents that held a losing record.

Pirates vs Nationals Prediction 

Both of these teams come into this matchup struggling and they are both last in their divisions, but they will have a chance to get a series win here. The Nationals are 30-43 at home this year, while the Pirates are 23-51 on the road. Pittsburgh has scored five runs in back to back games and they are facing Cavalli, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last five starts. Washington is going against Burrows, who has allowed one earned run or fewer in three straight starts. This is actually a decent pitching matchup in my opinion and I like the under in this contest.