Washington Nationals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction MLB Picks 9/5/24

In this article, we will formulate a Washington Nationals vs Pittsburgh Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, September 5th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. To formulate this prediction for game one in the series, we will examine:

• The Nationals’ recent form and recent player performance 
• The Pirates’ recent form and recent play performance
• Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Washington 
• Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Pittsburgh 
• Recent betting trends in games played between Washington and Pittsburgh 
• A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between Washington and Pittsburgh 

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

The Washington Nationals are 62-77 this year and they have lost four of their last five games. Washington is coming off of a series split with Miami, where they won one game and lost one game. Prior to that series, the Nationals lost all three against the Cubs, won two out of three against the Yankees, and lost two out of three against the Braves, Washington is 4-7 in their last 11 games and they are fourth in the NL East. 

The Washington pitching staff has a 4.29 ERA, a 1.34 WHIP, and a .261 opponent batting average. The Nationals’ offense has scored 584 runs with a .244 batting average and a .311 on-base percentage. CJ Abrams is batting .240 with 18 home runs and 62 RBI’s for the Nationals this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 65-74 this season and they have won three of their last five games. Pittsburgh is coming off of a series win against the Cubs, where they won two out of three games. Prior to that series, the Pirates lost two out of three against the Guardians, lost all three against the Cubs, and won three out of four against the Reds. Pittsburgh is 3-6 in their last nine games and they are last in the NL Central. 

The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 4.13 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP, and a .251 opponent batting average. The Pirates’ offense has scored 577 runs with a .236 batting average and a .302 on-base percentage. Bryan Reynolds is batting .282 with 22 home runs and 77 RBI’s for the Pirates this season. 

Starting Pitchers

The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Jake Irvin, who is 9-11 with a 4.08 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP over 161.0 innings pitched this season. Irvin has allowed four earned runs or more in three of his last five starts. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Bailey Falter, who is 6-7 with a 4.41 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP over 116.1 innings pitched this year. Falter has allowed four earned runs or more in three of his last four starts. 

Why the Pirates will beat the Nationals

• The Nationals have lost each of their last seven night games against National League opponents following a road loss.
• The Pirates have won each of their last five night games following a road loss.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last five games following a road loss.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games against National League opponents after playing the previous day.

Why the Nationals will beat the Pirates

• The Nationals have won four of their last five night games after going to extra innings.
• The Pirates have lost four of their last five home games.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in seven of their last eight night games at PNC Park following a road loss.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six home games.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Nationals’ last six night games against NL Central opponents has gone OVER the total runs line.
• Ten of the Pirates’ last 12 home games have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Nationals’ last four games against National League opponents.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Yasmani Grandal has hit a home run in three of his last four home appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
• Andrew McCutchen has recorded at least one RBI in seven of his last eight appearances in night games.
• Yasmani Grandal has scored a run in each of his last five appearances at PNC Park.
• Oneil Cruz has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last eight games at PNC Park.
• Oneil Cruz has recorded at least one Single in each of the Pirates’ last four home games.
• Oneil Cruz has recorded at least one total base in each of the Pirates’ last eight games against NL opponents at PNC Park.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• Luis Garcia has recorded at least one hit in each of the Nationals’ last six games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Jacob Young has recorded at least one Single in nine of the Nationals’ last 10 road games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• Luis Garcia has recorded at least one total base in each of the Nationals’ last six games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Joey Gallo has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances against the Pirates at PNC Park.
• Luis Garcia has recorded at least one RBI in three of his last four road appearances against NL Central opponents.
• Keibert Ruiz has scored at least one run in each of the Nationals’ last six road games against NL opponents.

Washington Nationals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction 

Both of these teams come into this matchup towards the bottom of the NL standings and neither has played very well over the last two weeks. The Nationals are 30-40 on the road this year, while the Pirates are 32-36 at home. The Pirates pitching staff has been decent so far this year, but Falter hasn’t been great recently. On the other side, Jake Irvin has been very inconsistent and has allowed quite a few runs in recent starts. I know the offenses aren’t great here, but I think both starting pitchers are going to struggle. Take the over here. 

David Racey's Pick: Over 8.5