Free MLB Picks Today: Washington Nationals vs Baltimore Orioles 9/13/22

The Washington Nationals (49-92), one of the weakest offenses in the NL, are set to host the Baltimore Orioles (73-67) at Nationals Park on Tuesday for the opener of a two-game Interleague series. The Orioles are heading on the road after a 10-game homestand (4-6). They won only one out of three in their last series against the Red Sox, dropping the finale 1-0 on Sunday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Austin Hays was 2 for 3. The Nationals are back home after a 10-game road trip (4-6). They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Phillies, dropping the finale 7-5 on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. Ildemaro Vargas went 2 for 4 with a double, one run, and one RBI.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The beltway rivals have split their games this season 1-1, as the Orioles evened the season series with a 7-0 victory in their most recent meeting on June 22 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Starter Tyler Wells threw five scoreless innings for the win, and Nick Vespi picked up his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth.

ON THE MOUND

Dean Kremer (6-5, 3.23 ERA) is set to start for Baltimore. The righty allowed three runs (two earned) in 5.1 innings of relief in his last appearance, a 4-1 road defeat against the Blue Jays on Wednesday. He was charged with the loss, giving up six hits while striking out three and walking two. For Washington, RHP Cory Abbott (0-2, 4.06 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Orioles. In his last appearance on Saturday, Abbott pitched in relief on the road against the Phillies. He threw one inning and gave up one run on one hit in the 8-5 loss.

AT THE PLATE

The Baltimore offense is averaging 4.2 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of ././.. Anthony Santander leads the team in OPS at .799. The right fielder is slashing .255/.333/.466 with 27 home runs, 79 RBIs, and 68 runs over 132 games. Against righties like Abbott this season, the O’s have a .698 OPS. Cedric Mullins is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .796 OPS in 358 at-bats. Washington is slashing ././. for the season and averaging 3.9 runs per game, third lowest in the National League. Lane Thomas leads the team with a .718 OPS. The center fielder has 15 home runs, 49 RBIs, and 53 runs scored with a slash line of .245/.302/.416. Washington is averaging 5.8 runs per game in the last five. The Nats have a .699 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .601 OPS over 344 at-bats, Cesar Hernandez has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Baltimore is 32-37 on the road in 2022, scoring 4.0 runs per game while allowing 4.2 runs. Washington has gone 22-47 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 3.8 runs per game while surrendering 5.3. The teams have split their last 10 meetings head-to-head at Nationals Park, though Baltimore has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.9-3.9.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Orioles are fourth in the AL East, 11 games behind the division-leading Yankees. They are fourth in the Wild Card race, four games out of third. The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, 38 games behind the Mets.