Nationals vs Pirates Picks and Prediction – 4/17/2025

Scenic PNC Park will play host to a Thursday afternoon MLB clash between the Washington Nationals and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Be ready for the baseball season with all of our MLB predictions. The Nationals are a couple of years away from being playoff contenders and are sitting in fourth place in the NL East Division standings. Twenty-two year old OF James Wood is off to a fast start for the Nationals with six home runs and three stolen bases.

Thirty-two year old righty Trevor Williams (1-1 7.36 ERA) will make his fourth start of the year for the Nationals. Last time out, Williams was roughed up for six runs across four plus frames during a 7-6 road loss against Miami. 

The Pittsburgh Pirates are the second lowest scoring team in the National League and are trapped in the NL Central Division basement. Pittsburgh boasts a formidable starting rotation headlined by Paul Skenes and rank in the middle of the pack with a 4.19 team ERA. Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz lead the power deficient Pirates with two home runs each. 

Pittsburgh skipper Derek Shelton will give the nod to thirty-three year old southpaw Andrew Heaney (0-1 3.00 ERA) on Thursday. Through 18 innings, Heaney has allowed one home run and fanned 18 batters while posting a sparkling 0.89 WHIP.

Washington SS C.J. Abrams has landed on the 10-day injured list with a right hip flexor strain. Through 18 games, Washington ranks 14th in OPS and 13th in runs scored. For the regular season, Pittsburgh ranks 30th in OPS and 25th in runs scored. Take the Pirates to win at home. Final Score Prediction, Pittsburgh Pirates win 5-2.