The Washington Nationals (9-17) host the Pittsburgh Pirates (20-8) at Nationals Park on Sunday with the visitors in position to sweep the three-game series.
The Pirates swept Saturday’s series-opening doubleheader. After taking the opening game 6-3, Pittsburgh followed up with a 16-1 win in game two. Starter Vince Velasquez threw six scoreless innings for the win.
Jack Suwinski was 3 for 6 with a home run and a double in the win. He had five RBIs, extending his on-base streak to 17 games. Bryan Reynolds added a double, three runs, and one RBI, walking twice. Dominic Smith went 2 for 4 with a solo home run for the Nationals.
ON THE MOUND
Johan Oviedo (2-1, 3.03 ERA) is in line to start for Pittsburgh. The RHP allowed five runs (four earned) over 5.1 innings in his last start, an 8-7 road defeat against the Dodgers on Tuesday. He yielded six hits while striking out four and walking two in the no-decision.
Oviedo is making his first appearance against the Nationals this season. Oviedo made one appearance against the Nationals in 2022, a 7-6 road loss for the Cardinals on July 30. He held Washington scoreless over one no-hit inning, striking out one.
For Washington, right-hander Josiah Gray (1-4, 2.93 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Pirates. In his last start on Tuesday, Gray got the win on the road against the Mets. He threw six scoreless innings and gave up four hits, striking out nine and walking one in the 5-0 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Pittsburgh has averaged 8.6 runs a game, up from their season average of 5.5, while performing better across the board (.339/.413/.546). Against right-handed pitchers like Gray this season, the Bucs have a .789 OPS, fourth highest in MLB.
Reynolds has the team’s best on-base percentage against right-handers at .395 over 51 at-bats. Washington is averaging 4.2 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 3.7 for the season.
The Nats have a .611 OPS against right-handers in 2023, third lowest in the league. With a .837 OPS over 57 at-bats, Keibert Ruiz has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Pittsburgh is on a five-game winning streak away from PNC Park, bringing their record to 11-4 in 2023. The Bucs have scored 6.2 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.0 runs. Washington has lost four in a row in front of their home fans.
The Nats are 2-11 at home this season, averaging 2.7 runs per game while surrendering 6.2. In the last 10 games at Nationals Park between the teams, Washington is 6-4 despite an average scoreline favoring Pittsburgh (4.3-3.7).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Pirates lead the NL Central by one games over the Brewers. The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, eight games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Pittsburgh Pirates (-145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
