The Pittsburgh Pirates (18-8) take one of the top lineups in the National League on the road to face the Washington Nationals (9-15) at Nationals Park on Friday to open a three-game series. The Pirates are kicking off a six-game road trip after wrapping up a successful seven-game homestand (6-1).
They won two out of three in their last series against the Dodgers, taking the finale 6-2 on Thursday at PNC Park. Rodolfo Castro was 1 for 2 with a home run and two RBIs.
The Nationals are playing the first of seven games at home after concluding a successful six-game road trip (4-2). They won two of three against the Mets in their last series, dropping the finale 9-8 on Thursday at Citi Field.
Alex Call went 2 for 4 with a solo home run. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Pirates won four of the seven games between the teams, although they dropped two out of three in their most recent meeting at Nationals Park in June.
ON THE MOUND
Rich Hill (2-2, 4.85 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Pittsburgh. The lefty allowed one run over five innings in his last start, a 2-1 road win over the Reds on Saturday. He earned the win, scattering six hits while striking out seven and walking three.
For Washington, RHP Chad Kuhl (0-1, 7.36 ERA) will toe the rubber. Kuhl made one start against the Pirates in 2022, throwing 4.1 innings for the Rockies in a 2-1 road defeat on May 23. He gave up five hits and walked four, while striking out one in the no-decision.
In his last start on Saturday, Kuhl took a no-decision on the road against the Twins. He threw 3.2 innings and gave up one run on three hits, striking out five and walking four in the 10-4 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The Pittsburgh offense is averaging 5.1 runs per game for the season, third best in the National League, with a slash line of .258/.334/.438. Bryan Reynolds leads the team in OPS at .878. The right fielder is slashing .301/.330/.548 with five home runs, 20 RBIs, and 14 runs over 24 games.
Against right-handed pitchers like Kuhl this season, the Bucs have a .754 OPS. Reynolds also is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a 1.020 OPS in 70 at-bats. Washington is slashing .248/.320/.345 for the season and averaging 3.9 runs per game. Keibert Ruiz leads the team with a .763 OPS.
The first baseman has two home runs, eight RBIs, and five runs scored with a slash line of .284/.356/.407. Washington is averaging 5.6 runs per game in the last five with an improved slash line (.257/.347/.389). The Nats have a .760 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a 1.113 OPS over 21 at-bats, Victor Robles has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Pittsburgh is on a three-game winning streak in road games, bringing their record to 9-4 in 2023. The Bucs have scored 5.5 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.2 runs.
Washington has gone 2-9 at home this season, averaging 2.8 runs per game while surrendering 5.4. In the last 10 meetings at Nationals Park, Washington is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 3.9-2.8.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Pirates lead the NL Central by one games over the Brewers. The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, seven games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Pittsburgh Pirates (-140)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
