Pirates vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 28, 2023

April 28, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

The Washington Nationals (9-15) enter Friday’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates (18-8) following their 2-1 series victory over the Mets. The Pirates, coming off of a series win against the Dodgers, are listed as -143 favorites for Game 1. The series begins at Nationals Park, starting at 7:05 PM ET on MLB Network.

Rich Hill will get the ball for Pittsburgh while Washington will counter with Chad Kuhl.

Pirates vs. Nationals Odds

Pirates odds to win: -143
Nationals odds to win: +122
Spread: Pirates -1.5
Total: 8.5 runs

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Game Time and Information

Date: Friday, April 28, 2023
Time: 7:05 PM ET
TV: MLB Network

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Who Will Win Pirates vs. Nationals?

Pirates and Nationals Betting Trends

The Pirates have been favored on the moneyline a total of five times this season, and they’ve won each of those games.

Pittsburgh has played in three games as moneyline favorites with odds of -143 or shorter and won them all.

The Nationals have won nine, or 37.5%, of the 24 games they’ve played as underdogs this season.

Washington has a record of 8-14 in games where bookmakers have it as underdogs of at least +122 on the moneyline.

The Pirates have had an over/under set by bookmakers 26 times, and have combined with opponents to go over the total in 12 of those games (12-13-1).

The Nationals and their opponents have gone over the total this season in 10 of their 24 opportunities.

Pirates Stats & Insights

The Pirates score the seventh-most runs in baseball (132 total, 5.1 per game).

Pittsburgh is 13th in baseball with 30 home runs. They average 1.2 per game.

The Pirates have the seventh-best batting average in the league (.258).

Pittsburgh strikes out 7.9 times per game, the eighth-best average in MLB.

The pitching staff for the Pirates has a collective nine K/9, which ranks 14th in MLB.

Pittsburgh’s 3.60 team ERA ranks eighth across all MLB pitching staffs.

Nationals Stats & Insights

The Nationals have scored the 27th-most runs in the league this season with just 93 (3.9 per game).

Washington has hit just 14 homers this season, which ranks 29th in the majors.

The Nationals rank 14th in MLB with a .249 team batting average.

Washington has the fewest strikeouts in MLB, fanning only 7.1 times per game on average.

The Nationals average just nine strikeouts per nine innings as a pitching staff, which ranks 29th in the league.

Washington has pitched to a 4.16 ERA this season, which ranks 14th in baseball.

Pirates Key Players to Watch

Hill makes the start for the Pirates, his sixth of the season. He is 2-2 with a 4.85 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings pitched.

Bryan Reynolds is batting .301 with five home runs and 20 RBI. All three of those stats are best among Pittsburgh hitters this season.

Andrew McCutchen leads Pittsburgh in home runs with five while driving in 13 runs and slugging .506.

Ke’Bryan Hayes has 22 hits this season and a slash line of .229/.292/.375.

Carlos Santana has collected 24 hits this season and has an OBP of .340. He’s slugging .413 on the year.

Nationals Key Players to Watch

The Nationals will hand the ball to Kuhl (0-1) for his fifth start of the season.

Keibert Ruiz paces the Nationals with a team-best batting average of .296.

Alex Call is batting .239 with a double, two home runs and 15 walks.

Jeimer Candelario has a team-best four home runs.

Victor Robles has three doubles, a triple and eight walks while batting .268.

Pirates and Nationals Injuries

Pirates: Rob Zastryzny: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Chase De Jong: 15 Day IL (Knee), Wil Crowe: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Oneil Cruz: 60 Day IL (Ankle), Ji-Man Choi: 60 Day IL (Achilles), Jarlin García: 60 Day IL (Arm), Max Kranick: 60 Day IL (Elbow), JT Brubaker: 60 Day IL (Elbow)

Nationals: Corey Dickerson: 10 Day IL (Calf), Ildemaro Vargas: 10 Day IL (Shoulder), Israel Pineda: 10 Day IL (Finger), Carter Kieboom: 10 Day IL (Finger), Stephen Strasburg: 60 Day IL (Ribs/shoulder), Tanner Rainey: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Cade Cavalli: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Victor Arano: 60 Day IL (Shoulder)