Thursday, July 23, 2015

PNC Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Doug Fister (3-5) vs. Francisco Liriano (5-6)

The Washington Nationals head to PNC Park on Thursday to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. The probable starters are Doug Fister for the Nationals and Francisco Liriano for the Pirates. The opening line for this matchup has Washington at +155 and Pittsburgh at -165. The over/under was set at 7. The Nationals, with a 42-50 run line record, cover the spread 46% of the time. They also have a 47-42 over/under record. The Pirates have a 39-45 over/under record and a 39-54 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 42% of the time.

The Nationals come into this game with a 50-42 record, and they are 23-23 away from home. Starting pitcher Doug Fister holds a 3-5 record with an earned run average of 4.30 and a WHIP of 1.43. He's pitched 69 innings thus far while surrendering 83 hits over that time and when he starts, the Nationals are 4-8. Against the over/under, the Nationals are 6-6 in his starts. He is getting 3.6 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen has given up 253 hits on the season and have a earned run average of 3.40. Teams are hitting .249 against the bullpen while being struck out 245 times and walking 82 times this season. As a team, Washington has allowed 9.01 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.94 batters per nine. They are 11th in the league in team earned run average at 3.59.

As a team, Washington is batting .252, good for 17th in the league while putting together a .260 average away from home. The Nationals on-base percentage sits at .316, which puts them at 15th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .396. They rank 18th in baseball with 8.43 hits per game and Yunel Escobar leads the team with 104.

With a 54-39 overall record, Pittsburgh will come into this game 32-16 at home. With an earned run average of 2.98, Francisco Liriano will come into this game holding a 5-6 record and a 1.03 WHIP. He's pitched 114.2 innings thus far while surrendering 79 hits over that time in which the Pirates are 8-10. Against the over/under, the Pirates are 8-7 when he starts. He is getting 4.4 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen has given up 252 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 2.52. Teams are hitting .237 against the Pirates bullpen while being struck out 245 times and walking 82 times this season. As a team, Pittsburgh has allowed 8.28 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.73 batters per nine. They are 2nd in the league in team earned run average at 2.96.

As a team, they are batting .255, good for 11th in the league while putting together a .255 average at home. The Pirates on-base percentage sits at .317, which puts them at 13th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .380. They rank 8th in baseball with 8.84 hits per game and Andrew McCutchen leads the team with 95.

In terms of team defense, the Nationals have a fielding percentage of .982 with 59 total errors, 862 assists and 2,445 put outs. For the home team, they hold a .982 team fielding percentage while committing 69 errors, accumulating 1128 assists and compiling 2,570 put outs.

Washington Nationals Betting Trends

The Washington Nationals are 47-42 against the over/under so far this season

The Washington Nationals are 42-50 against the run line so far this season

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 39-45 against the over/under so far this season

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 39-54 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Washington Nationals

07/22/15 3B Yunel Escobar Wrist injured last game, "?" Thursday vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
07/10/15 CF Denard Span Back Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/6)
07/05/15 P Stephen Strasburg Oblique Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/4)
06/26/15 2B Anthony Rendon Quad Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/25)
06/11/15 1B Ryan Zimmerman Foot Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/10)
05/19/15 LF Jayson Werth Wrist Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/16)
04/30/15 LF Reed Johnson Calf Injury is on the 60 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)

Pittsburgh Pirates

07/21/15 C Francisco Cervelli Wrist "?" Wednesday vs. Kansas City Royals
07/20/15 SS Jordy Mercer Knee Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/20)
07/19/15 CF Gorkys Hernandez Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/13)
07/18/15 P Francisco Liriano Neck "?" for next scheduled start
07/06/15 3B Josh Harrison Thumb Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/6)
06/24/15 RF Corey Hart Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (6/22)
05/07/15 LF Andrew Lambo Plantar Fasciitis Injury is on the 60 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)

Guy's Pick: Take the Pirates

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