Washington Nationals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview
Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh
When: Thursday, May 18, 2017, 12:35 PM ET
Line: Washington Nationals (-125) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (+115); total: 9.0 – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: MASN, ROOTPIT
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Betting on the Washington Nationals (25-14)
Starting for Washington in this encounter is Tanner Roark (3-1, 3.88 ERA). He struggled mightily in his last start, allowing four runs on six hits in just 4.2 innings of action. Roark escaped with a no-decision, however, as the Nats pulled off a 6-4 victory over the Phillies in that contest. It was Roark’s shortest outing of the season, as he needed 110 pitches (63 strikes) to record only 14 outs. It’s paramount for Washington that Roark gets his pitches in order against Pittsburgh. His ERA this campaign is more than a full run higher than last season’s.
With Roark struggling with his command right now, the onus is on the Washington hitters to provide some crucial run support tonight. Expected to lead the Nats offense in this matchup against the Pirates is right fielder Bryce Harper. He leads the team not only in homers but also in batting average and on-base percentage. Harper is 1-of-2 (.500) in his career against Pittsburgh starter Tyler Glasnow with one RBI. He is batting 8-of-19 in his last five games for the Nationals with three homers and seven RBIs.
The Nationals are 1-4 in their last five road games.
Betting on the Pittsburgh Pirates (17-23)
Things are looking up for the Pittsburgh Pirates after grabbing a 6-1 victory against the powerhouse Washington Nationals on Wednesday. Gerrit Cole tormented the Nats, allowing just one run on three hits over seven masterful innings in the series opener.He has now pitched seven innings in four of his last five starts. Cole has posted a 2.25 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP in the eight games that he has started since April 14.
The Bucs will look to sustain the momentum of that huge win when they lock horns with the Nationals in the second game of their three-game set tonight. Pitching for Pittsburgh in this clash is Tyler Glasnow (1-3, 7.98 ERA). He looked out of sorts in his last start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, surrendering seven runs on seven hits in just 2.1 innings of action. The Pirates lost that contest, 11-4.
The 23-year-old has now given up at least three runs in every start this season to saddle him with a 2.08 WHIP through 29.1 innings. Given Glasnow’s erratic form, the Bucs’ offense will need to stand tall against the Nats tonight. One guy who needs to step up for Pittsburgh is Josh Bell. He has been on fire at the plate of late, nabbing four homers and 10 RBIs in his last seven games for the Pirates. Bell went 1-of-3 last night against the Nationals, recording a home run and three RBIs.
The Bucs are 4-2 in their last six home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Washington (-125) wins, 7-2.
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