Friday, June 19, 2015

Nationals Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: A.J. Burnett (6-2) vs. Joe Ross (1-1)

The Pittsburgh Pirates head to Nationals Park on Friday to take on the Washington Nationals. A.J. Burnett is the probable starter for the Pirates and he'll face Joe Ross of the Nationals. The Pirates, with a 32-33 run line record, cover the spread 49% of the time. They also have a 25-32 over/under record. The Nationals are 29-37 against the run line and have a 37-26 over/under record. They cover the spread 44% of the time.

The Pirates show up with a 38-27 record, including 17-16 on the road. A.J. Burnett has an earned run average of 1.89 and is 6-2 so far on the season while having a 1.13 WHIP. The Pirates are 8-5 over his 85.2 innings pitched and he's also given up 73 hits over that time period. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 5-7. His teammates are averaging 3.9 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen has given up 172 hits on the season and have a earned run average of 2.51. Opposing teams are hitting .235 against the Pirates bullpen while walking 57 times and striking out 166 times. Pittsburgh is averaging 8.04 strikeouts per game while getting 7.95 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 2nd in baseball in team earned run average at 2.73.

Pittsburgh ranks 13th in the league in team batting average at .256 while hitting .250 on the road. The Pirates on-base percentage sits at .314, which puts them at 18th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .383. Starling Marte leads the team in hits with 69 while the team ranks 11th in baseball with 8.85 hits per game.

Washington is 16-13 at home while holding a 34-32 overall record on the season. Joe Ross is starting this game 1-1 for the season with an earned run average of 3.46 and a WHIP of 1.08. The Nationals have a record of 1-1 over the 13 innings he's pitched during which he's given up 13 hits. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 1-1. His teammates score an average of 4.5 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen has given up 190 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 3.60. Opposing teams are hitting .250 against the Nationals bullpen while walking 65 times and striking out 185 times. Washington is averaging 8.06 strikeouts per game while getting 9.37 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 18th in the league in team earned run average at 3.94.

They rank 14th in the league in team batting average with a .253 average while hitting .243 at home. The Nationals on-base percentage sits at .320, which puts them at 12th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .405. Bryce Harper leads the team in hits with 74 while the team ranks 14th in baseball with 8.56 hits a game.

In terms of team defense, the Pirates have a fielding percentage of .983 with 45 total errors, 771 assists and 1,787 put outs. The Nationals have committed 42 errors on the season with 632 assists and 1,746 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .983 on the year.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 25-32 against the over/under so far this season

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 32-33 against the run line so far this season

Washington Nationals Betting Trends

The Washington Nationals are 37-26 against the over/under so far this season

The Washington Nationals are 29-37 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Pittsburgh Pirates

06/18/15 LF Starling Marte Ankle is upgraded to expected to be in the starting lineup Thursday vs. Chicago White Sox
06/04/15 LF Jaff Decker Calf Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (3/30)
05/07/15 LF Andrew Lambo Plantar Fasciitis Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/4)
04/06/15 P Brandon Cumpton Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)
04/06/15 SS Justin Sellers Heel Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Washington Nationals

06/18/15 CF Denard Span Back is upgraded to expected to be in the starting lineup Thursday vs. Tampa Bay Rays
06/17/15 P Doug Fister Forearm Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/15); expected to start Thursday vs. Tampa Bay Rays
06/12/15 P Aaron Barrett Bicep Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/12)
06/11/15 1B Ryan Zimmerman Foot Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/10)
05/30/15 P Stephen Strasburg Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/30)
05/19/15 LF Jayson Werth Wrist Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/16)
04/30/15 LF Reed Johnson Calf Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/29)
04/15/15 P Craig Stammen Forearm Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/14)
04/06/15 LF Nate McLouth Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Josh's Pick: Take the Nationals

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