MLB Odds: Nationals-Pirates prediction, odds, pick and more

The Nationals lost 9-4 to the Pirates on Thursday. Erick Fedde will start for Washington. Mitch Keller will take the rubber for Pittsburgh. The Pirates are coming off their first two-game winning streak and are now 3-3.

The Nationals are 3-5 in the National League and have scored 30 runs so far this season. Victor Robles is in a slump at the plate and is 0 for his last 15. The outcome of the game will come down to the pitching. The key for the Nationals will be for their pitcher to find the strike zone early and often. They have the ninth-most runs to their name within Major League Baseball.

Pittsburgh Pirates have a 61-101 record in 2021. Washington's 2021 record was 61/101.

The Pirates are the worst team in the league, but they are second in batting average, 4th in on-base percentage, and 4 th in slugging percentage. Bryan Reynolds signed a two-year, $13.5 million contract to stay in Pittsburgh. He is slashing .280 and has a pair of home runs. The Pirates have won their last three games. Mitch Keller will be the X-factor in whether or not Pittsburgh covers the spread.

The Pirates are on a hot streak. They will get to Fedde early. The Nationals must walk the plank on Friday evening.