Pirates vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Saturday, April 29, 2023

April 29, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

The Pittsburgh Pirates will take the field against the Washington Nationals (9-15) on Saturday. The game begins at 1:05 PM ET on MLB Network, with the Pirates listed as -150 favorites on the moneyline.

Pittsburgh’s Rich Hill and Washington’s Patrick Corbin have been named the starters for this contest.

Pirates vs. Nationals Odds

Pirates odds to win: -150
Nationals odds to win: +128
Spread: Pirates -1.5
Total: 9 runs

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Game Time and Information

Date: Saturday, April 29, 2023
Time: 1:05 PM ET
TV: MLB Network

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Who Will Win Pirates vs. Nationals?

Pirates and Nationals Betting Trends

The Pirates have yet to lose a game they were the moneyline favorite this season, going 5-0.

Pittsburgh has played as moneyline favorites of -150 or shorter in only two games this season, which it won both.

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

Washington has a record of 7-12 in games where sportsbooks have it as underdogs of at least +128 on the moneyline.

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

So far this season, the Nationals and their opponents have hit the over in 10 of their 24 games with a total.

Pirates Stats & Insights

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

Pittsburgh averages 1.2 home runs per game to rank 14th in MLB play with 30 total home runs .

The Pirates are seventh in the majors with a .258 batting average.

Pittsburgh strikes out 7.9 times per game, the sixth-fewest average in baseball.

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

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

Nationals Stats & Insights

The Nationals have scored 93 runs (just 3.9 per game) this season, which ranks 27th in MLB.

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

The Nationals rank 13th in MLB with a .249 team batting average.

Washington is the best at avoiding strikeouts in MLB this season with only 170 as a team.

The Nationals strike out just 7.7 batters per nine innings as a pitching staff, which ranks 27th in MLB.

Washington pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.16 ERA this year, which ranks 14th in MLB.

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 tops 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 is slashing .229/.292/.375 this season for the Pirates.

Carlos Santana has 24 hits and an OBP of .340 to go with a slugging percentage of .413 this season.

Nationals Key Players to Watch

Corbin (1-3) will take to the mound for the Nationals and make his sixth start of the season.

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

Jeimer Candelario has put his power on display as he paces his team with four home runs.

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

Victor Robles is batting .268 with three doubles, a triple and eight walks.

Pirates and Nationals Injuries

Pirates: Rob Zastryzny: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Chase De Jong: 15 Day IL (Knee), Oneil Cruz: 60 Day IL (Ankle), Ji-Man Choi: 60 Day IL (Achilles), Wil Crowe: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), 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)