Nationals vs Pirates Picks and Prediction – 9/6/2024

Scenic PNC Park will play host to a Friday night MLB clash between the Washington Nationals and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Be ready for the baseball season with all of our MLB predictions. The Nationals (62-78) have lost 41 of their 71 home games and could be playoffs contenders as early as next season. Last night, Washington DH Andres Chaparrp hit a two-run blast during a 9-4 road loss against Pittsburgh. 

Rookie left-hander D.J. Herz (2-7 4.09 ERA) will make his 16th career major league start for the Nationals. Through 70 plus innings, Hertz has struck out an impressive 88 batters and owns a respectable 1.27 WHIP.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are three games below .500 at home and are trying to climb out of the NL Central Division cellar. On Thursday, 2B Nick Gonzales drove in three runs and DH Bryan Reynolds scored twice to lead the Pittsburgh offense. SP Bailey Falter (7-7) allowed three runs in five innings to earn the win for the Pirates, who improved to 66-74 overall.

Pittsburgh skipper Derek Shelton will give the nod to talented right-hander Luis Ortiz (6-4 3.19 ERA) on Friday. The Pirates have won Ortiz’s previous two starts and he has not allowed a run over his last 12 innings. 

Pittsburgh 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes is currently sidelined with a back injury and there is no timetable for his return. Through 140 games, Washington ranks 22nd in OPS and 23rd in runs scored. For the season, Pittsburgh ranks 27th in OPS and 24th in runs scored. Take the Nationals to win on the road. Final Score Prediction, Washington Nationals win 5-3.