The Pittsburgh Pirates (18-8) take one of the top offenses in the NL on the road to face the Washington Nationals (9-15) at Nationals Park on Saturday in a doubleheader 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 returning from 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. In 2022, 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
Vince Velasquez (3-2, 3.76 ERA) is set to get the start for Pittsburgh in the first game of the doubleheader. The righty is tied for fourth in the NL in wins.
Velasquez threw seven scoreless innings in his last start, a 2-0 road win over the Reds on Sunday. He got the win, scattering two hits while striking out 10 and walking two.
Lefty Patrick Corbin (1-3, 5.88 ERA) gets the start for Washington. Corbin made two appearances against the Pirates in 2022, both starts, striking out 16 and walking five over 13.1 innings (1-0, 2.03).
In his last start on Sunday, Corbin took the loss on the road against the Twins. He threw six innings and gave up three runs on seven hits, striking out six and walking two in the 3-1 defeat.
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 lefties like Corbin this season, the Bucs have an .816 OPS, fifth highest in the league. Castro is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a 1.248 OPS in 27 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 a higher slash line (.257/.347/.389).
The Nats have a .623 OPS against righties in 2023, third lowest in the league. With a .837 OPS over 57 at-bats, Ruiz also has been their best hitter against right-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 their home ballpark this season, averaging 2.8 runs per game while surrendering 5.4. In the last 10 games at Nationals Park between the teams, 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.
