On Friday evening, baseball enthusiasts will turn their attention to Nationals Park as the Cincinnati Reds face off against the Washington Nationals at 6:45 PM ET. Both teams are setting their sights on a win to bolster their season standings.
The Cincinnati Reds come into this game with a season record of 47-50, placing them 4th in the NL Central, trailing the Brewers by eight games. Despite their middling record, the Reds are listed as favorites against the Nationals. Interestingly, they have had a solid 4-1 performance in their last five away games, offering a glimmer of hope to their fans.
On the mound for the Reds is Frankie Montas, who holds a 4-7 record with a 4.38 ERA in 17 starts this season. While Montas has shown glimpses of quality, such as his seven-inning stint against the Rockies where he conceded five earned runs, his overall performance has been inconsistent.
The Nationals, with a 44-53 season record, also find themselves seated 4th in the NL East, lagging behind the Phillies by a sizable 18.5 games. Despite their underdog status and a +105 mark, they are projected to have a 62% chance of victory, a paradox that adds intrigue to this matchup. At home, Washington has had a mixed run, going 2-3 in their last five games.
Pitching Matchup
Patrick Corbin gets the start for the Nationals. Corbin's season has been tumultuous, evidenced by his 4-9 record and 5.57 ERA across 19 starts. A recurring issue for Corbin has been his susceptibility to the long ball, having given up at least one home run in his last four outings. However, he did enjoy a bright spot in his June 24th outing, where he pitched seven scoreless innings. Corbin is anticipated to rack up five strikeouts in this game.
Recent Performances
The Reds were narrowly defeated by the Marlins in their previous game, clocking in a 3-2 loss. Nick Lodolo pitched for 4 2/3 innings, giving up two earned runs, while Elly De La Cruz provided a spark with a home run in the first inning. On the other hand, the Nationals are coming off a 9-3 loss to the Brewers where Jake Irvin was rocked for six earned runs in four innings. Despite this setback, the Nationals managed to secure two wins out of three games in their recent series against the Brewers.
Offensive Stats
Offensively, the Reds average 4.5 runs per game, ranking them 14th in the league. They sport a batting average of .231, with Spencer Steer being a standout performer. Steer has driven in 60 runs and hit 15 home runs, placing him 10th in the MLB for RBIs.
The Nationals have been less prolific, averaging 4.1 runs per game and 4.2 runs in home games, ranking them 23rd in the league. Their batting average is slightly better at .239, ranking 13th in on-base percentage. CJ Abrams leads the team's offensive efforts, although he is currently in a slump, going 3/21 in his last five games.
Betting Insights
The game’s over/under is set at nine runs. When faced with such conditions, the Reds have struggled, holding a 2-16-3 record. The Nationals have fared better, with a 7-7-2 record. Bettors might find value in the Reds’ run line performance, boasting a 53-44 record overall and a particularly strong 30-14 on the road. Meanwhile, the Nationals have held their own as underdogs, with a respectable 46-34 record against the run line.
Injury Report
Both teams are missing key players. For the Reds, Joey Gallo, Luke Maile, and Matt McLain are notable absentees. The Nationals will be without Trevor Williams, Josiah Gray, and CJ Abrams.
As these two teams gear up for this Friday evening clash, both will be keenly aware of the stakes and the opportunity to shift their momentum. While the Reds are slightly favored by the odds, the Nationals aim to defy expectations and leverage their home advantage. This game promises to be a tightly contested affair, reflective of the unpredictable nature of baseball.