Sunday, June 21, 2015

Nationals Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Charlie Morton (5-0) vs. Gio Gonzalez (4-4)

The Pittsburgh Pirates head to Nationals Park on Sunday to take on the Washington Nationals. The Pirates send Charlie Morton to the mound to face Gio Gonzalez of the Nationals. The opening line for this matchup has Pittsburgh at +114 and Washington at -124. The over/under was set at 7.5. The Pirates, with a 32-35 run line record, cover the spread 48% of the time. They also have a 25-34 over/under record. The Nationals have a 38-27 over/under record and a 30-38 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 44% of the time.

The Pirates show up with a 39-28 record, including 18-17 on the road. Charlie Morton has a 5-0 record on the season, an earned run average of 1.62 and a 0.99 WHIP. The Pirates are 5-0 over his 33.1 innings pitched and he's also given up 25 hits over that time period. The Pirates are also 1-3 against the over/under in his starts. The team is averaging 4.8 runs when he starts. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 2.49 and they've given up 172 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .233 against the Pirates bullpen while walking 57 times and striking out 166 times. Pittsburgh is averaging 8.01 strikeouts per game while getting 7.98 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 2nd in baseball in team earned run average at 2.73.

Pittsburgh is batting .257 as a team, which is good for 12th in the league and hitting .252 away from home. Ranked at 17th in the league in on-base percentage, the Pirates sit at .314 and they hold a .381 team slugging percentage. Starling Marte leads the team in hits with 71 while the team ranks 9th in baseball with 8.87 hits per game.

Washington is 17-14 at home while holding a 35-33 overall record on the season. Gio Gonzalez has a record of 4-4 while sporting an earned run average of 4.82 on the year with a 1.55 WHIP. The Nationals have a record of 8-5 over the 74.2 innings he's pitched during which he's given up 85 hits. The Nationals are also 7-5 against the over/under in his starts. The team is averaging 4.5 runs when he takes the field. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 3.57 and they have given up 190 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .248 against the Nationals bullpen while walking 65 times and striking out 187 times. Washington is averaging 8.1 strikeouts per game while getting 9.36 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 18th in the league in team earned run average at 3.92.

They are batting .257 as a team, which is good for 11th in the league and hitting .251 at home. Ranked at 9th in the league in on-base percentage, the Nationals sit at .322 and they hold a .406 team slugging percentage. Yunel Escobar leads the team in hits with 79 while the team ranks 12th in baseball with 8.69 hits a game.

The Pirates have committed 46 errors and have combined for 795 assists and 1,838 put outs leading to a .983 team fielding percentage. The Nationals have committed 45 errors on the season with 648 assists and 1,800 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .982 on the year.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 25-34 against the over/under so far this season

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 32-35 against the run line so far this season

Washington Nationals Betting Trends

The Washington Nationals are 38-27 against the over/under so far this season

The Washington Nationals are 30-38 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Pittsburgh Pirates

06/19/15 2B Neil Walker Stomach "?" Saturday 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 "?" Saturday 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

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald