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Pirates looking to end skid as series continues at Nationals
Pittsburgh Pirates (64-84) are desperate to stop a seven-game losing streak when they visit the Washington Nationals (61-86) on Saturday at Nationals Park. Rookie pitchers will headline the matchup as Pittsburgh’s Bubba Chandler faces Washington’s Andrew Alvarez.
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The Nationals claimed Friday’s opener 6-5 behind a go-ahead homer from Dylan Crews and another standout play from James Wood. Looking at recent MLB game results, Washington has won seven of its last ten while Pittsburgh continues to tumble at the bottom of the NL Central.
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Pittsburgh Pirates Can Win If…
- Bubba Chandler steadies himself. After allowing nine runs in his first career start, the prized prospect needs to command the strike zone.
- The lineup converts opportunities. Spencer Horwitz and Jared Triolo continue to hit, but Pittsburgh must cash in runners in scoring position.
- Their bullpen holds late. Recent losses have featured breakdowns late in games; the Pirates need stability in relief.
“He’s a starting pitcher … he’ll get starts too,” manager Don Kelly said of Chandler’s future role.
Washington Nationals Can Win If…
- Andrew Alvarez keeps rolling. With a 1.86 ERA through two starts, the rookie has shown poise on the mound.
- The young bats stay hot. Dylan Crews, Brady House, and James Wood continue to provide extra-base power and game-changing moments.
- Josh Bell’s September surge continues. The veteran has been on fire with 15 RBIs in his last six games.
“He does insane things I’ve never seen players do before,” Brady House said of Wood’s defensive heroics.
Key MLB Betting Trends
| Category | Pirates | Nationals |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 64-84 (5th NL Central) | 61-86 (5th NL East) |
| Last 10 Games | 2-8, seven-game skid | 7-3, won opener 6-5 |
| Runs Per Game | 3.9 (bottom-third MLB) | 4.2 (middle of pack) |
| ERA / Opp Runs | 3.89 team ERA (11th) | 4.72 team ERA (24th) |
| Home/Away Record | 29-45 road | 33-41 home |
The Leans
Main Pick: Nationals Moneyline (-122)
Projected Final Score: Nationals 5, Pirates 4
- Runline Angle: Pirates +1.5 (-190) → Safer way to back Pittsburgh in what projects as a one-run game.
- Total Runs Angle: Over 8.5 (-118) → Two rookie starters, shaky bullpens, and Friday’s 11-run opener point to runs again.
Stay sharp with daily breakdowns like this on our MLB Betting Predictions hub.
Best Bet Box
Best Bet: Nationals ML (-122) + Over 8.5 (Parlay)
Confidence: ★★★☆☆
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