Saturday, June 20, 2015

Nationals Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Francisco Liriano (4-5) vs. Max Scherzer (7-5)

The Washington Nationals welcome the Pittsburgh Pirates to Nationals Park on Saturday. The Pirates send Francisco Liriano to the mound to face Max Scherzer of the Nationals. The opening line for this matchup has Pittsburgh at +125 and Washington at -135. The over/under was set at 6.5. The Pirates have a 25-33 over/under record and a 32-34 run line mark, meaning they cover 49% of the time. The Nationals have a 38-26 over/under record and a 29-38 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 43% of the time.

The Pirates head into this matchup with a 39-27 record, including 18-16 on the road. Starting pitcher Francisco Liriano holds a 4-5 record with an earned run average of 2.94 and a WHIP of 0.96. He's pitched 82.2 innings thus far while surrendering 52 hits over that time and when he starts, the Pirates are 4-9. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 6-4. His teammates are averaging 4.5 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 2.51 and they've given up 172 hits on the season. The bullpen has struck out 166 and walked 57 batters this season while opposing teams hit .235 against them. Pittsburgh has a team average of 7.87 hits allowed per game and are averaging 8.01 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 2.72, they are 2nd in the league.

Pittsburgh ranks 12th in the league in team batting average at .258 while hitting .253 on the road. Ranked at 16th in the league in on-base percentage, the Pirates sit at .315 and they hold a .383 team slugging percentage. With 69 hits, Starling Marte leads the team while his team ranks 9th in hits per game with 8.91.

With a 16-14 home record, Washington will hope to improve on their 34-33 overall mark. With an earned run average of 1.93, Max Scherzer will come into this game holding a 7-5 record and a 0.88 WHIP. He's pitched 93.1 innings thus far while surrendering 68 hits over that time in which the Nationals are 8-5. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 4-8. His teammates score an average of 3.7 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 3.60 and they have given up 190 hits on the season. The Nationals bullpen has struck out 185 batters and walked 65 this season while opposing teams have hit .250 against them. Washington has a team average of 9.41 hits per game and are averaging 8.03 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.96, they are 18th in the league.

They rank 14th in the league in team batting average with a .255 average while hitting .246 at home. Ranked at 12th in the league in on-base percentage, the Nationals sit at .321 and they hold a .405 team slugging percentage. With 78 hits, Yunel Escobar leads the team while his team ranks 13th in hits per game with 8.61.

The Pirates have committed 45 errors and have combined for 784 assists and 1,814 put outs leading to a .983 team fielding percentage. Over the course of this season, the Nationals have accumlated 45 errors while having 642 assists and 1,773 put outs leading to a .982 fielding percentage.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 25-33 against the over/under so far this season

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 32-34 against the run line so far this season

Washington Nationals Betting Trends

The Washington Nationals are 38-26 against the over/under so far this season

The Washington Nationals are 29-38 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Pittsburgh Pirates

06/18/15 2B Neil Walker Stomach "?" Friday vs. Washington Nationals
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

06/19/15 RF Bryce Harper Hamstring is downgraded to not expected to be in the starting lineup Friday vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
06/19/15 P Tanner Roark Personal eligible to return Tuesday vs Atlanta Braves
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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