Friday, August 15, 2014

Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

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Friday night, Charlie Morton (5 -11, 3.62 ERA) takes the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates as they face Tanner Roark (11 – 7, 2.86 ERA) and the Washington Nationals.   It will be the 25th start for Morton and the 24th for Roark.

Charlie Morton struggled in his last outing and it lead to a loss for the veteran right-hander.  In defeat, Morton gave up 5 runs and 5 hits in 5 innings of work.  He walked a batter while striking out 5. And he needed 87 pitches to get through 5 innings.   It’s been over a month since Morton has had a victory and it isn’t hard to see why.  He has allowed 2 or more runs in 7 of his last 10 outings while compiling a record of 1 - 4 in that span.  In 2013, Morton was 7 – 4 with a 3.26 ERA in 20 starts.

Last season, Morton beat the Nationals in his only start against them.  Earlier this season, Morton picked up his first victory of the year after beating the Nationals. 

Tanner Roark had a solid outing his last time out but still failed to get the decision.  He went 7 innings and surrendered just a run on 6 hits as he walked 3 and struck out 6. Roark has been very successful keeping opponents off the scoreboard this season and has allowed just a single run in 7 of his last 10 starts.  He is 6 - 3 in his last 10 starts.   During his rookie campaign last season, Roark went 7 – 1 with a 1.51 ERA in 5 starts and 9 relief appearances.

Roark has faced just one of Pittsburgh’s hitters before and Michael Martinez is 0 for 1 against him.          

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

Pittsburgh Pirates are 55-57-7 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Pittsburgh Pirates is 0.1

Washington Nationals Betting Trends

Washington Nationals are 57-50-10 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Washington Nationals is 0.7

Injuries to Watch

Pittsburgh Pirates

08/12/14 2B Neil Walker Back questionable
08/04/14 CF Andrew McCutchen Ribs 15-day DL (8/4)
07/08/14 P Gerrit Cole Side 15-day DL (7/5)
07/06/14 SS Clint Barmes Groin 15-day DL (6/30)

Washington Nationals

08/13/14 RF Jayson Werth Shoulder questionable
08/11/14 RF Steven Souza Shoulder 15-day DL (8/10)
08/07/14 P Taylor Jordan Elbow 60-day DL (8/5)
08/05/14 LF Nate McLouth Shoulder 15-day DL (8/2)
07/25/14 P Matt Purke Elbow 60-day DL (7/25)
07/23/14 LF Ryan Zimmerman Hamstring 15-day DL (7/22)
03/29/14 P Ross Ohlendorf Back 60-day DL (3/26)
03/28/14 P Erik Davis Elbow 60-day DL (2/13)

Josh's Pick: Take Washington

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