Pittsburgh Pirates vs Washington Nationals Prediction 9-12-23 MLB Picks

The Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates clash Tuesday in game 2 of an MLB series at PNC Park. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

The Nationals need a win after losing 10 of their last 14 games. The Nationals are 10.5 games back in the NL wild card race. The Nationals pitching staff is 27th in ERA (4.97), 27th in WHIP (1.45) and 19th in quality starts (46). The Nationals' offense is 21st in runs per game (4.33), 11th in batting average (.256) and 29th in homers (133). Lane Thomas leads the Nationals with 154 hits and 77 RBI, while Joey Meneses and Dominic Smith have combined for 273 hits and 118 RBI. Joan Adon gets the ball, and he is 2-1 with a 5.56 ERA and 29 strikeouts this season. This will be Adon’s second career game against the Pirates.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pirates look for a win after splitting their last 10 games. The Pirates are 9.5 games back in the NL wild card race. The Pirates pitching staff is 20th in ERA (4.53), 22nd in WHIP (1.38) and 15th in quality starts (48). The Pirates' offense is 24th in runs per game (4.19), 27th in batting average (.236) and 27th in homers (140). Bryan Reynolds leads the Pirates with 138 hits and 71 RBI, while Ke'Bryan Hayes and Andrew McCutchen have combined for 213 hits and 98 RBI. Bailey Falter gets the ball, and he is 1-8 with a 4.65 ERA and 54 strikeouts this season. Falter is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA and 19 strikeouts in his career against the Nationals.

Randy’s Pick

I'm not excited to get behind either of these teams, so I'm looking at the over. Joan Adon has a 5.56 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, while Bailey Falter has a 4.65 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. Neither of these pitchers are scaring anybody, and the Pirates' offense has shown flashes over the last couple of weeks. Falter also has a 5.45 ERA and .261 allowed batting average at home this season. I expect fireworks in this contest. Give me the over.