Nationals vs. Pirates Prediction, Computer Picks, Odds & Pitching Matchup 6/29/2022

The Washington Nationals (29-48) will vie for their fourth straight victory when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates (29-45) on Wednesday at 1:05 PM ET. The Nationals are listed as -130 favorites by oddsmakers, while the Pirates are +111 underdogs. Paolo Espino will get the ball for Washington while Pittsburgh counter with Mitch Keller.

Nationals vs. Pirates Spread and Betting Line

Computer Predictions for Nationals vs. Pirates

After taking a look at all of the key stats and trends for this matchup, our best bet is the Pirates on the moneyline at +111. Our computer prediction sees the scoring going over the total of 9 runs.

Our computer pick: Pittsburgh Pirates (+111) and Over (9)

Nationals vs. Pirates Game Info

• Washington Nationals probable starting pitcher: Paolo Espino
• Pittsburgh Pirates probable starting pitcher: Mitch Keller
• Game Day: Wednesday, June 29, 2022
• Game Time: 1:05 PM ET
• Location: Washington D.C.
• Stadium: Nationals Park

Washington Nationals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Pitching Matchup

Nationals Starter Paolo Espino

• Espino gets the start for the Nationals, his fourth of the season. He is 0-1 with a 2.21 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings pitched.
• In his most recent appearance on Saturday against the Texas Rangers, the righty tossed 5 1/3 innings, allowing one earned run while surrendering six hits.
• The 35-year-old has put up an ERA of 2.21, with 6.6 strikeouts per nine innings, in 23 games this season. Opponents are hitting .234 against him.
• Espino will look to pitch five or more innings for his third straight appearance. He’s averaging 1.2 frames per outing.
• He will face a Pirates offense that ranks 28th in the league with 266 runs while batting .219 as a squad. It has a collective .363 slugging percentage (28th in MLB play) and has hit a total of 75 home runs (17th in MLB).
• Espino has pitched one inning without giving up an earned run on one hit, while striking out one against the Pirates this season.

Pirates Starter Mitch Keller

• Keller (2-5) will take the mound for the Pirates, his 13th start of the season.
• The right-hander gave up three earned runs in 5 2/3 innings pitched on Friday in his last outing, a matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays.
• The 26-year-old has an ERA of 4.77 and 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings with an opponent batting average of .260 in 14 games this season.
• In 12 starts this season, he’s earned a quality start in three of them.
• Keller will look to pitch five or more innings for the sixth start in a row.
• The Nationals have scored 308 runs this season, which ranks 22nd in MLB. They have 649 hits, sixth in baseball, with 60 home runs (26th in the league).
• This season, the right-hander has pitched against the Nationals in one game, and they have gone 7-for-18 with four RBI over 3 2/3 innings.

Nationals Betting Picks & Insights

• This season, the Nationals have won eight out of the 12 games, or 66.7%, in which they’ve been favored.
• Washington is 4-1 this season when entering a game favored by -130 or more on the moneyline.
• The Nationals have a 56.5% chance to win this game based on the implied probability of the moneyline.
• Washington and its opponents have hit the over in 39 of their 77 games with a total this season.
• The Nationals have an ATS record of 34-43-0 in 77 games with a spread this season.

Pirates Betting Picks & Insights

• The Pirates have won in 20, or 34.5%, of the 58 contests they have been named as odds-on underdogs in this year.
• This season, Pittsburgh has been victorious 16 times in 50 chances when named as an underdog of at least +111 or longer on the moneyline.
• The Pirates have an implied victory probability of 47.4% according to the moneyline set for this matchup.
• Pittsburgh’s games have gone over the total in 30 of their 74 opportunities.
• In 74 games with a line this season, the Pirates have a mark of 34-40-0 against the spread.

Nationals Leaders & Batting Stats

• Josh Bell comes into Wednesday’s game hitting .315 with 46 RBI, both team-leading marks for the Nationals. He has also launched 11 homers in 2022.
• Bell’s home runs place him 51st in MLB, and he ranks 18th in RBI.
• Bell has collected a hit in seven games in a row. During his last 10 games he is hitting .429 with three doubles, a triple, two home runs, six walks and five RBI.
• Juan Soto has hit 14 home runs to lead his team.
• Soto ranks 26th in homers and 103rd in RBI among all hitters in the majors.
• Soto enters this game looking for his sixth game in a row with a hit. In his last five games he is hitting .400 with two doubles and six walks.
• Nelson Cruz has 12 doubles, eight home runs and 31 walks while hitting .244.
• Cesar Hernandez is hitting .262 with 17 doubles, two triples and 24 walks.

Pirates Leaders & Batting Stats

• Bryan Reynolds paces the Pirates with 12 long balls and runs batted in, driving in 25.
• Among all hitters in the big leagues, Reynolds’ home run total ranks 42nd and his RBI tally ranks 150th.
• Ke’Bryan Hayes’ .263 batting average leads his team.
• Hayes ranks 243rd among all hitters in the big leagues in homers, and 155th in RBI.
• Daniel Vogelbach is hitting .219 with seven doubles, a triple, nine home runs and 27 walks.
• Jack Suwinski paces the Pirates with 12 home runs.