The Washington Nationals head to PNC Park later tonight to play their first road game of the second half. Awaiting them in Pittsburgh are the Pirates, who are looking to help themselves catch the St. Louis Cardinals atop the National League Central standings.
In tonight’s other top ballgame, the Kansas City Royals and the St. Louis Cardinals play the third and final game of their postponed series back in June. Read on for our primers on MLB’s best action.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Washington Nationals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (7:05 PM ET)
Line: Washington Nationals (+150) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (-170); total: 7.0– view all MLB lines
[sc:MLB240banner ]Doug Fister (3-5, 4.30 ERA) continues to search for his first win of the month, as the Nationals hand the right-hander the ball for the series opener against Pittsburgh. Since picking up a win on June 25 against Atlanta, Fister has failed to notch a victory in his last three outings, including in the Nats’ 4-2 loss to the Dodgers on Saturday. Fister, however, could get that elusive win against the Pirates, as he is 1-1 with a 1.07 ERA in four career starts opposite Pittsburgh.
The Bucs, on the other hand, will send Francisco Liriano (5-6, 2.98 ERA) to the mound. Liriano is 1-0 with a 1.05 ERA over his past four starts. The Nats are 2-0 in their last two road games, while the Bucs are 4-0 in Liriano’s last four starts.
Writer’s Prediction
Washington wins, 5-4.
Kansas City Royals vs. St. Louis Cardinals (7:15 PM ET)
Line: Kansas City Royals (+130) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (-140); total: 7.0– view all MLB lines
Chris Young (8-5, 3.03 ERA) looks to continue his winning ways as he makes his second start of the second half later tonight against St. Louis. In his most recent start, Young got a win despite an underwhelming performance, allowing two earned runs, three hits, and four walks in the Royals’ 4-2 victory over the White Sox on July 17. Young enters the matchup carrying a 4-1 record and a 1.84 ERA in six road starts thus far this season.
Young will be matched up against Cards’ ace John Lackey. Lackey is coming off a solid outing on July 18, when he tossed seven innings of one-run ball to lead St. Louis to a 12-2 win. The Royals are 3-0 in Young’s last three road starts, while the Cards are 7-3 in Lackey’s last 10 starts overall.
Writer’s Prediction
St. Louis wins, 3-2.
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