Friday, May 23, 7:05 PM on MAS2, ROOT

PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Washington Nationals - Zimmermann, J (3-1) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates - Morton, C (0-6)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Washington Nationals will visit the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday in the second meeting of a four game series. The Nationals will send Jordan Zimmermann to the mound while the Pirates will have Charlie Morton start.

Zimmermann is coming off his third win of the season when he pitched six innings of three run, eight hit baseball against the New York Mets. The win improved his record to 3-1 on the season with a 3.70 ERA. He was only able to strikeout one batter on the night which tied a season low for Zimmermann. That being said, Zimmermann has pitched well and the Nationals have won six of the nine games he’s started.

Current Pittsburgh batters are hitting .304 when facing Zimmermann. He’s given up five home runs and 11 RBIs to the Pirates over his career. He’ll look to lower that average on Friday.

Charlie Morton will take the mound Friday and saw his record drop to 0-6 the last time he took the mound. Morton has fallen victim to a lack of run support. In his six losses, the Pirates scored more than three runs just one time. That being said, Morton did give up four earned runs and six hits over seven innings against the Yankees his last time out. He’ll have to do better when he faces the Nationals on Friday.

Morton has pitched well against current Nationals players. He’s only giving up 16 hits over 63 at bats and just three home runs over that period. He’ll have be careful when facing Jayson Werth who has two of those home runs and five RBIs.

Washington Nationals Betting Trends

Washington Nationals are 24-16-5 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Washington Nationals is 0.9

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

Pittsburgh Pirates are 18-21-5 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Pittsburgh Pirates is 0.8

Injuries to Watch

Washington Nationals

05/21/14 3B Anthony Rendon Rest questionable
05/18/14 P Gio Gonzalez Arm 15-day DL (5/17)
05/16/14 CF Eury Perez Toe 60-day DL (5/15)
05/11/14 1B Adam LaRoche Quad 15-day DL (5/10)
04/27/14 LF Bryce Harper Thumb 15-day DL (4/26)
04/13/14 3B Ryan Zimmerman Thumb 15-day DL (4/13)
04/13/14 LF Jeff Kobernus Hand 60-day DL (4/12)
03/29/14 P Ross Ohlendorf Back 60-day DL (3/26)
03/28/14 P Erik Davis Elbow 60-day DL (2/13)

Pittsburgh Pirates

05/04/14 P Stolmy Pimentel Shoulder 15-day DL (5/2)
04/26/14 P Jason Grilli Oblique 15-day DL (4/21)
04/26/14 C Russell Martin Hamstring 15-day DL (4/26)

Guy's Pick: Take Pittsburgh

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