Thursday, May 22, 7:05 PM on MAS2, ROOT

PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Washington Nationals - Treinen, B (0-1) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates - Volquez, E (1-4)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Thursday night, the Washington Nationals will send Blake Treinen to the hill to face the Pittsburgh Pirates and Edinson Volquez. Treinen will be making his 2nd start and 5th appearance as Volquez makes his 9th start and 10th appearance. 

Blake Treinen gets the call-up from Triple-A Syracuse to take the spot in the rotation vacated by Gio Gonzalez after Gonzalez went on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation. Treinen had made a major league start earlier in the season and took the loss after allowing 3 runs on 7 hits in 5 innings of work.  But he has looked good during the season in the minors. 

Treinen has never faced the Pirates and will have to rely on information from the scouting reports and the rest of the pitching staff.

Edinson Volquez took another loss in his last start and his record fell to 1 – 4 with an ERA of 4.71.  In that outing, Volquez gave up 5 runs on 6 hits (including 4 home runs) in 6.1 innings of work.  He didn’t issue a walk as he struck out 3.  Last season, Volquez went 9 - 12 with an ERA of 6.01 in 32 starts and a relief appearance with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.

In 2013, Volquez lost his only start against the Nationals after allowing 5 runs on 5 hits in 5 innings of work.  Fortunately for Volquez, he won’t have to face two of the bigger hitters in the Washington lineup – Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche.  Without those two, Volquez should be able to post some decent numbers.

Washington Nationals Betting Trends

Washington Nationals are 23-16-5 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Washington Nationals is 0

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

Pittsburgh Pirates are 17-22-4 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Pittsburgh Pirates is -0.4

Injuries to Watch

Washington Nationals

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

Date Pos Player Injury Status
05/13/14 2B Freddy Galvis Collarbone out 6-8 weeks
03/28/14 P Miguel Gonzalez Shoulder 60-day DL (3/21)

Tony's Pick: Take Washington

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