Washington Nationals vs
Pittsburgh PiratesPredictions & Preview

Nationals Look to Capitalize on Mitchell Parker's Strong Pitching Against Struggling Pirates in Series Finale

The Washington Nationals (7-10) will be taking on the Pittsburgh Pirates (6-12) at PNC Park in Pittsburgh in the third game of their four-series. The Pirates won 10-3 on Monday, while the Nationals claimed a 3-0 victory on Tuesday. The starting pitchers for this matchup will be Mitchell Parker for the Nationals, with an ERA of 1.96, and Bailey Falter for the Pirates, with an ERA of 7.2. Pittsburgh is the betting favorite, opening at -110 with the line remaining steady. Stay tuned for our MLB picks and predictions for this Nationals vs Pirates game.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Nationals -101 | Pirates -110
• Spread: Nationals +1.5 (-215) | Pirates -1.5 (+180)
• Total: Over/Under 8.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Pittsburgh will win straight-up is 52%.

Washington vs Pittsburgh Stats

Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals currently rank 17th in MLB profit rankings at (-93). Offensively, they have been average with 4.47 runs per game (13th), batting .234 (14th), and ranking 11th in home runs (19th). James Wood leads the team with six home runs and is second with 13 RBI, while Nathaniel Lowe leads the club with 16 RBI. On the pitching side, Mitchell Parker (2-0, 1.96 ERA) has been solid in three starts after a rookie season in 2024 where he went 7-10 with a 4.29 ERA. However, the Nationals' bullpen has been a concern, ranking last in MLB with a 6.67 ERA. In terms of power rankings, Washington is currently ranked 25th and have a 9th ranked offense, averaging 4.67 runs per game, but rank 28th in defense, allowing an average of 5.33 runs per game. The team currently has a 6-10 record this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates Analysis

The Pittsburgh Pirates are currently struggling in the MLB, ranking 27th in profit and 26th in runs scored per game. Despite their offensive struggles, Isiah Kiner-Falefa leads the team in batting average and Ke'Bryan Hayes leads in RBI. Bailey Falter will take the mound for Pittsburgh, but he has been struggling in his last few starts. The team's bullpen, however, has been performing well with a solid ERA. Overall, the Pirates have a power ranking of 27 and are ranked 29th for offense and 23rd for defense. Washington has had the upper hand in recent matchups against Pittsburgh.

Mitchell Parker leads Nationals to victory as they face struggling Pirates

Mitchell Parker has proven to be a standout performer in the Nationals' starting rotation, securing victories over strong opponents such as the Phillies, Diamondbacks, and Marlins. Despite concerns surrounding the Nationals' bullpen, Parker has consistently delivered solid performances, demonstrating his ability to pitch deep into games. In their upcoming match against the struggling Pirates, who have struggled offensively and have yet to win a game started by Bailey Falter, the Nationals have a favorable position to secure another victory. Furthermore, Washington hitters have historically performed well against Falter, boasting a combined batting average of .312. With Parker's impressive form and the Pirates' offensive struggles, there is a compelling case to support the Nationals as the likely winners in this matchup.

Sources: [ 2 ] [ 3 ]