Pittsburgh Pirates (18-8) vs. Washington Nationals (9-14)
April 28, 2023 7:05 pm EDT
The Line: Washington Nationals / Pittsburgh Pirates ; Over/Under: -
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The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Washington Nationals meet Friday in MLB action from Nationals Park. The Pirates are fresh off a series versus the Dodgers. Pittsburgh split the first pair in that set, then in the Thursday rubber match the Pirates posted a four-run win. As for Washington, they played the Mets this week and won the first pair. On Thursday the Nationals lost in a one-run game. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh fell in a tough one 8-7 against the Dodgers on Tuesday, but bounced back for an 8-1 win in game two. In the Thursday matchup the Pirates scored three runs in the first inning and cruised to a 6-2 victory. Starter Mitch Keller gave up two earned on five hits and a walk with 10 Ks in 6.0 innings.
For the starter gig in the Friday game the Pirates will send out Rich Hill. Over five starts this year Hill is 2-2 with a 4.85 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 26.0 total innings. Hill is 84-61 with a 3.87 career ERA in 355 games (226 starts).
Washington Nationals
Over on the Nationals’ side, they managed victories 5-0 and 4-1 over the Mets in their first two games this week. On Thursday Washington gave up 16 hits in a 9-8 loss. Starter Trevor Williams put up 5.0 innings with four earned on nine hits and two walks.
As the starting pitcher on Friday the Nationals will go with Chad Kuhl. In four starts so far Kuhl is 0-1 with a 7.36 ERA and 14 Ks in 18.1 frames total. Kuhl is 31-42 in his career with a 4.83 ERA in 131 games (115 starts).
The Pirates are 6-2 in their last eight in game one of a series and 68-143 in their last 211 road games. Pittsburgh is 19-43 in their last 62 Friday games.
Meanwhile, the Nationals are 13-38 in their last 51 in game one of a series and 14-38 in their last 52 at home. Washington is 35-73 in their last 108 overall.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably take a stab on the Pirates here. Hill has done well over his last few outings, going 2-1 with four combined earned runs on 17 hits and seven walks over 17.0 innings. If Hill can get a quality start in this one—and if the Pirates score well like they did Thursday—Pittsburgh will be in good shape. On Thursday Washington gave up a ton of hits but still managed to make it close in the end. I think Pittsburgh probably has the advantage here if they play well, though.
