On Friday evening, baseball fans will witness a showdown between the Cincinnati Reds and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, with the first pitch set for 6:45 PM ET. Both teams are looking to improve their standings as they navigate through the tail end of the season.
Current Season Performance
Coming into the game, the Cincinnati Reds hold a season record of 47-50, positioning them in 4th place in the NL Central, trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by eight games. Meanwhile, the Washington Nationals own a slightly lower record of 44-53, also sitting in 4th place but in the NL East, lagging behind the Philadelphia Phillies by 18.5 games. Despite their difficult season, the Nationals are marked as underdogs at +105, albeit with a projected 62% chance of victory, displaying the unpredictable nature of baseball.
Starting Pitchers
For Cincinnati, Frankie Montas will take the mound. Montas has had a challenging season, as evidenced by his 4-7 record and a 4.38 ERA in 17 starts. His previous performance against the Rockies saw him give up five earned runs over seven innings, indicating some struggles in consistency. On the flip side, Washington will start Patrick Corbin, whose season has been more turbulent. Corbin, with a 4-9 record and a 5.57 ERA across 19 starts, has allowed at least one home run in each of his last four outings. However, he did have a solid performance on June 24th, pitching seven scoreless innings. Corbin is projected to finish with five strikeouts in the upcoming game.
Team Form and Recent Performances
As the teams prepare for this clash, the Reds bring some positive momentum, boasting a 4-1 record in their last five away games. In contrast, the Nationals exhibit a less promising form, with a 2-3 record at home over their recent five games. The Reds have also displayed mixed results when favored, holding a 5-5 record in such scenarios.
The Nationals, although underdogs, have shown resilience with a 6-4 straight-up record in that role and an identical 5-5 record against the run line as underdogs. This game will follow each team's recent losses: the Reds fell to the Marlins 3-2, with pitcher Nick Lodolo conceding two earned runs over 4 2/3 innings, and Elly De La Cruz hitting a solo home run. The Nationals were defeated by the Brewers 9-3, with Jake Irvin giving up six earned runs in four innings.
Offensive and Defensive Stats
Offensively, the Reds average 4.5 runs per game, ranking them 14th in the league. Their batting average of .231 also places them 17th in on-base percentage and 25th in strikeouts. Spencer Steer has been a standout player with 60 RBIs and 15 homers, ranking 10th best in RBIs across the MLB. The Nationals, on the other hand, average 4.1 runs per game, ranking 23rd in the league, and their home games slightly better at 4.2 runs per game. With a batting average of .239, they rank 13th in on-base percentage. CJ Abrams leads the team with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs but has struggled recently, going 3/21 in his last five games.
Betting and Odds
Considering the over/under for the game is set at nine runs, the Reds hold a 2-16-3 record when met with such conditions, whereas the Nationals are 7-7-2 in similar scenarios. The Reds also boast a 53-44 record on the run line, significantly stronger on the road with a 30-14 performance. The Nationals have a respectable 46-34 record against the run line as underdogs.
Injuries and Absences
Both teams will face the game with notable absences. For the Reds, Joey Gallo, Luke Maile, and Matt McLain will not be available. The Nationals will be missing Trevor Williams, Josiah Gray, and CJ Abrams, which might influence the dynamics on the field.
As game time approaches, fans and analysts alike are gearing up for an intriguing encounter between two teams that, despite their respective struggles, are capable of delivering an exciting and unpredictable contest. The matchup between Montas and Corbin could very well define the game's direction, making this a must-watch for enthusiasts of the sport.