Pirates vs Nationals Odds & Predictions (April 29)
Rain washed out the first of a three game set between the Pirates (18-8, 9-4 away) and Nationals (9-15, 2-9 home) on Friday. The contest will be made up as part of a split doubleheader on Saturday, April 29th from Nationals Park.
The opening pitch of the first matchup is scheduled for 1:05 pm ET. MASN and AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh will provide television coverage.
We’ll preview the first meeting in the Pirates vs Nationals odds while also offering up our best bet advice and pick for the series opener.
Pirates vs Nationals Odds
Off to a surprising 18-8 start, the Pirates are -120 road favorites to take the first game of this series. Playing at home has not been a positive for the Nats so far this year as they hold just a 2-9 mark at Nationals Park.
The forecast is calling for daytime temperatures of 64 degrees with a 15% chance of rain.
Odds as of April 28th at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Pittsburgh vs Washington Probable Pitchers
Still going at 43-years old, Rich Hill will start the opener for the Pirates Saturday afternoon. The oldest pitcher in the majors has bounced back with three solid starts in a row since opening the season with a couple of tough outings.
He’s whittled his ERA down to 4.85 from an ugly 10.00 after an April 7th appearance against the White Sox. Punching out seven batters in back-to-back starts, the key to the southpaw’s recent success has been minimizing the long ball.
After allowing five dingers in his first two starts, Hill has given up just two home runs in his last three.
Hill vs Corbin Stats
No offense to Patrick Corbin, but the Nationals probably can’t wait for his six-year, $140 million dollar deal to finish. They got one good year out of Corbin, in their 2019 World Series winning season, but since then it’s all been downhill.
In the last two seasons he’s led the National League in losses with 16 in 2021 and 19 in 2022. While that’s also a reflection of his team, Corbin has posted and ERA of 5.82 and 6.31 in each of the last two years. It’s no better this year, as he holds a 1-3 record with a 5.88 ERA in five starts.
No matter what MLB starting lineups he’s facing, they all seem to lick their lips at the opportunity to pounce on the southpaw. Including this season, opponents have a batting average of over .300 against him in three of the last four years. He’s allowed the most earned runs in the National League over each of the last two campaigns.
Pirates on Amazing Run in MLB Odds
When glancing at the World Series odds to start the season, the Pirates were near the bottom of the list paying out at +25000 to win the title. Nobody expected the opening month domination they’ve put up so far as the Bucs own the best record in the National League.
They started out with a modest 9-7 mark, but since then have gone on an absolute tear winning nine of their last 10 matchups. With low expectations, they’ve been a bettors dream on the moneyline in the MLB odds.
They’re providing a 48.5% return on investment, the best in all of baseball.
Pirates vs Nationals Prediction
Since 2020, Patrick Corbin has a winning percentage of just .286, basically getting a winning decision two out of every seven starts. Even when he pitches well, as he did in his last game against Minnesota where he gave up three runs over six innings, the Nats still can’t get him a victory.
Owner’s of the worst home record in the senior circuit, the Nationals should be in a heap of trouble against a red hot Pittsburgh squad. Our prediction is that the Pirates keep the good times rolling and continue their winning ways against one of the worst sides in baseball.
Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates Moneyline (-120)
