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Nationals vs. Pirates Prediction and Odds for Friday, April 15 (Don't Buy Pittsburgh's 'Improved' Offense)

By Matt De Saro

Washington Nationals pitcher Erick Fedde.
Washington Nationals pitcher Erick Fedde. / Mitchell Layton/GettyImages
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Is it possible that the Pirates offense might actually be good this season?

They currently have the sixth-highest batting average in the league, as well as rank fifth in strikeouts on offense. Pittsburgh comes off an impressive 6-2 over the Cubs Wednesday and is surpisingly actually not in last place in the NL Central.

I, for one am still not sold on this team’s early success. Well, some relative success that is, considering the Pirates were expected to be the worst team in the National League.  

They'll face off against the Washington Nationals in the second game of their four-game series on Friday. The Nationals appear to have caught some traction after losing their first three games of the year.

Here are the odds for this game, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook. 

Nationals vs. Pirates Odds, Run Line, and Total

Run Line

  • Nationals: -1.5 (+140)
  • Pirates: +1.5 (-165)

Moneyline:

  • Nationals: -105
  • Pirates: -105

Total:

  • 9.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Nationals vs. Pirates Prediction and Pick

While the Pirates have hit for average, when you look closer, that's really all they've done offensively. They still rank near the bottom of the MLB in runs scored, slugging, and home runs.

Their pitching has also been rather suspect, especially Friday’s starter Mitch Keller. Keller got lit up in his first start last Saturday after needing 70 pitches to go four innings. He gave up four earned runs and two walks while striking out four. The game left him with a 9.00 ERA and a short leash heading into his second start. 

Erick Fedde gets the nod for Washington and is coming off a good initial start. But, it was far from great. Fedde gave up two runs on five hits over five innings in a 4-2 win over the Mets. He struck out six and walked two. The Mets are one of the hotter teams to start the year so this win is pretty significant. 

Until the Pirates can start scoring runs and not stranding runners, I am going to continue to fade them despite a nice win over the Phillies. Especially with a possible powder keg on the hill in Keller. 

Pick: Nationals -105 to win

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE

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