Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Washington Nationals Prediction and Betting Odds. The 39-29 Pittsburgh Pirates are set to take on the 36-33 Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Washington, D.C. today June 21, 2015, first pitch is scheduled 1:35 PM
Betting Odds
Moneylines: Pirates +105 / Nationals -125
O/U: 7.5 runs
Pitching Match Up
Pittsburgh: Charlie Morton (5-0, 1.62 ERA)
Washington: Gio Gonzalez (4-4, 4.82 ERA)
In their last games: In Game 2 of this 3 game series yesterday the Nationals beat the Pirates 6-0.
The Pirates go into Washington for the 3rd game of a 3 game series. The 5-0 Charlie Morton goes for the Pirates and the 4-4 Gio Gonzalez goes for the Nationals. The Nationals open at -125 with a line sitting at 7.5 runs. The Pirates had won 8 straight before starting this series in the Nation’s Capital where they have lost 2 straight and were no-hit in yesterday’s game. Their bats have been dominated by the Washington pitching in this series and overall they rank 22nd in the Majors in runs scored. The Pirates’ strength is their pitching, which has the 2nd best team ERA in the Majors. Pittsburgh is in 2nd place in the NL Central 6 games back of the St. Louis Cardinals. The Nationals had lost 2 straight games before dominating the Pirates in the first 2 games of this series. Washington is in first place in the NL East ½ game up on the New York Mets. The Nationals rank 7th in the Majors in runs scored and 16th in team ERA.
Pittsburgh at Washington Key Betting Trends
Pittsburgh is 21-7 in their last 28 overall.
The Pirates are 7-3 in their last 10 road games.
Pittsburgh has an Under record of 5-0 in their last 5 road games.
The Nationals are 3-7 in their last 10 home games.
Washington is 2-7 in their last 9 games following a win.
Washington has an Under record of 11-5 in their last 16 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Key Player Injuries
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Brandon Cumpton P 60-Day Disabled List
Andrew Lambo OF 15-Day Disabled List
Justin Sellers 2B 60-Day Disabled List
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Aaron Barrett P 15-Day Disabled List
Reed Johnson OF 15-Day Disabled List
Nate McLouth OF 60-Day Disabled List
Tanner Roark P Paternity Leave List
Craig Stammen P 60-Day Disabled List
Stephen Strasburg 15-Day Disabled List
Jayson Werth OF 15-Day Disabled List
Ryan Zimmerman 1B 15-Day Disabled List
Consensus Picks (Public Money line Bets)
Pittsburgh: 56%
Washington: 44%
Free MLB Pick
The Pirates look to avoid the sweep in this series today turning to Charlie Morton, who has won 5 straight starts since beginning the season on the DL and he has pitched 14 1/3 scoreless innings. Pittsburgh looks to make a little history tonight, as if Cole can win he will become the 3rd pitcher for the team that has a 6-game winning streak and the Pirates have never accomplished that feat. The Pirates were no hit in yesterday’s game and in Game 1 of this series they only managed 1 run on 6 hits. They will be facing Washington starter Gio Gonzalez, who was tagged up for 5 earned runs in only 3 innings in his last start, which was a 6-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. In his last 4 starts he is 0-2 with an ERA of 5.57, but the Nationals are 4-0 in his last 4 starts against the Pirates.
The Pirates have solid road underdog value in this one with Morton on the hill and they will get the win tonight and avoid being swept.
Take the PIRATES
