The Washington Nationals (34-32, -$471) continue to flounder, costing bettors money as they continually play below their talent level. This weekend, they will host a team in a much different situation as the Pittsburgh Pirates (38-27, $641) are surging, making up for their early season woes.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Once again, the Pirates are in the midst of a lengthy winning streak, taking eight in a row. Over a much longer stretch, Pittsburgh has won 21 of their last 25 games, showing the current success is more than a fluke.
On the other side, the Nationals have failed to win a series since taking two of three from the Chicago Cubs in late May. Washington will hope to be able end that streak with a win in the finale against the Pirates on Sunday.
A season ago, these two teams were quite evenly matched as the Nationals won four of seven.
PITCHING MATCHUP
The pitching has been the Pirates biggest asset this season with a team ERA of 2.73, ranked second in all of baseball.
Since returning from injury, the right-handed Charlie Morton has been a big part of the pitching success of this team.
The 31-year old has made just five starts and 33 1/3 innings pitched, but has dominated in that time with a 5-0 record, 1.62 ERA and 0.990 WHIP. He’s allowed just one home run, though he is a contact pitcher, with just 15 strikeouts.
The Nationals have yet to announce their starter for Sunday’s matinee given the return of Doug Fister, but are expected to send Tanner Roark to the hill.
Roark was very good in the rotation last year, but was relegated to the pen to start this season. Since rejoining the rotation, he has five starts and a 3-0 record. His ERA as a starter is 3.86 with a 1.088 WHIP. Really, the only down side is that he’s allowed seven home runs in just 30 1/3 innings as a starter.
Overall, Roark has a 3.38 ERA and nine home runs allowed in 50 2/3 innings. Interestingly, he has allowed just one fewer home runs than walks this season.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“It’s always strange when any of our pitchers give up any runs.” – Pirates third baseman Josh Harrison speaking about the dominant pitching the Pirates have.
LIVE/SITUATIONAL BETTING
The Nationals will have their work cut out for them scoring runs this entire series against the Pirates.
Washington is actually in the top third of the league in runs scored, but has struggled to get the big hit when needed. So far, the Nationals team has been worth less than the sum of its parts.
Individually, Washington has Bryce Harper punishing baseballs left and right with a 1.204 OPS and .344 average. His 22 home runs are a career high and his 52 RBIs are a big reason the Nationals are still within a game and a half of first place.
Outside of Harper, there has been little else to brag about. Key players like Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth are on the disabled list while Ian Desmond (.624 OPS), Wilson Ramos (.705 OPS) and Anthony Rendon (.682 OPS) provide little spark.
To be fair, Rendon is coming off injury and starting to heat up. Once he is going a full speed, that will help, but until then, the offense is Harper and collection of others led by a player in Danny Espinosa (.805 OPS) that lost his starting spot last season due to his offense.
On the other side, the Pirates offense has not scored as many runs as the National’s, but seems to be able to do enough to win.
Josh Harrison is heating up and Andrew McCutchen (.864 OPS) is back to the MVP level talent after a slow start.
Starling Marte (.816 OPS) has come up huge time and again and while injured should be in the lineup this weekend.
For the Pirates, nearly everyone is a threat top to bottom.
PROP TALK
Andrew McCutchen and Bryce Harper are always good picks in prop bets, but Denard Span is another interesting name.
Span is 3 for 8 lifetime against Morton with a double and is having a good year with a .303 average.
For the Pirates, Marte is the only Pittsburgh player with a home run off Roark, though that is his only hit in three at bats.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Pirates have been nearly unstoppable of late and given the mediocre play of the Nationals so far, it is hard to see them stopping Pittsburgh.
Roark is a good pitcher and will keep his team close, but the way Morton is throwing doesn’t bode well for a team struggling for production out of a couple key spots in the order. The bullpen is just icing on the cake for the Pirates’ whose 2.53 bullpen ERA trumps Washington’s 3.67.
Pittsburgh 4, Washington 2
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
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smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals is scheduled for Sunday, June 21, 2015, at 1:35 p.m. ET at Nationals Park.
