- Matchup: Washington Nationals vs Pittsburgh Pirates
- Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
- Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
- Broadcast: SportsNet Pittsburgh
- Betting Odds: Washington (+132) Pittsburgh (-160)
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The Washington Nationals (8-9) are set to visit PNC Park this Thursday, aiming to take down the Pittsburgh Pirates (10-7). The odds favor the Pirates at -160, with the Nationals listed at +132. Bettors can expect an over/under of 8.5 runs. The starting pitchers for this encounter will be Foster Griffin and Braxton Ashcraft.
The Nationals exhibit a slugging percentage of .429 and have accumulated 134 strikeouts against 59 walks. They’ve recorded 93 RBIs and 162 hits, maintaining a batting average of .271. As a team, they’ve achieved 30 doubles and 20 home runs, scoring a total of 99 runs with an on-base percentage of .343. Washington ranks first in MLB with an impressive 5.8 runs per game.
The Washington pitching staff records a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.51 and boasts a collective WHIP of 1.59. However, they’ve allowed 34 home runs and a total of 108 runs, ranking 29th in the league. With 156 hits surrendered (averaging 9.3 per 9 innings) and 102 earned runs, their team ERA stands at 6.08, placing them also at 29th in the league. The staff has struck out 127 batters, issuing 84 walks, leading to a FIP of 6.25 for the year.
The Nationals’ bullpen showcases a 37.5% save percentage, having faced 19 save opportunities with just 3 successful saves, missing out on 5 of 8 chances. This season, the bullpen has inherited 23 runners, with 43.5% scoring. Washington pitchers have taken the mound with players on base 14 times and have appeared in high-leverage situations 12 times. So far, the Nationals have deployed 53 relief pitchers, achieving 8 holds, ranking 20th in the league.
This season, the Washington Nationals have registered 453 putouts, 157 assists, and committed 16 errors. Their fielding percentage rests at .974, ranking 29th in professional baseball, complemented by 13 double plays. They’ve converted 69.9% of balls in play into outs, placing them 18th in MLB.
Starting pitcher Griffin has logged 23 innings, securing 17 strikeouts with an earned run average of 3.51 (9 earned runs permitted) and a WHIP of 1.255. He has given up 18 hits (7.0 hits per 9 innings) along with 11 walks. Griffin maintains a career win-loss record of 3-0 and a FIP of 3.45, having faced 101 hitters in the majors.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have hit 20 home runs this season, accompanied by 83 RBIs. They’ve recorded 24 doubles, 74 walks, and scored 86 runs. The Pirates hold an on-base percentage of .339, with a batting average of .247. Their team slugging percentage is .395, generating an average of 5.06 runs per game, which ranks 7th in the league. They’ve also struck out 155 times (9th in baseball) with 144 hits.
Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has surrendered 68 runs with a 3.45 ERA (59 earned runs allowed). They’ve allowed 14 home runs, yielding 3.97 runs per 9 innings (9th in MLB). The Pirates’ collective WHIP stands at 1.356, coupled with a FIP of 3.86. Their strikeout-to-walk ratio is 9.60 (164 strikeouts and 79 walks), placing them 9th in baseball for total hits allowed with 130.
Currently, Pittsburgh ranks 24th in MLB with a 50.0% save percentage, utilizing 56 relief pitchers this season. Their bullpen has entered the field 27 times in critical situations and 14 times with runners on base. With 22 save opportunities, the Pirates have executed 16 holds but have also recorded 3 blown saves. In 6 save chances this season, Pittsburgh relief pitchers have succeeded in 3 saves, with an inherited score percentage of 11.1% from 18 inherited runners.
Throughout 1,389 innings played, the Pirates have posted a defensive efficiency rate of 69.9% (19th in pro baseball). Their fielding percentage is .987 (14th in pro baseball), achieving 12 double plays, with 131 assists, 8 errors, and 463 putouts this season.
In his professional career, Ashcraft has allowed 75 hits and registered 91 strikeouts across 86 innings pitched. With a career win-loss record of 5-5, he maintains a stellar 2.61 earned run average while allowing 7.8 hits per 9 innings. Ashcraft has conceded a total of 25 earned runs, boasting a WHIP of 1.206 and a FIP of 2.6. His K/BB ratio stands at 3.14, having faced 358 hitters throughout his career.
Who will come out on top in this MLB matchup against the spread or on the moneyline?
Prediction: Back Washington (+132)
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