In what promises to be an intriguing clash at Nationals Park on Friday evening, the Cincinnati Reds are set to lock horns with the Washington Nationals. Both teams enter the game trailing their respective division leaders, adding an extra layer of urgency to the matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 PM ET.
Team Standings and Season Records
The Cincinnati Reds come into this contest with a season record of 47-50, placing them in 4th place in the National League Central, eight games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers. Meanwhile, the Washington Nationals hold a 44-53 record, also in 4th place but in the National League East. They find themselves a significant 18.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies.
Betting Odds and Projections
Despite their similar records, the Reds are favored in this game. The Nationals are marked as underdogs with +105 odds but intriguingly hold a projected 62% chance of victory. This paradox is one of the many elements that make baseball so captivating.
Starting Pitchers
For the Reds, Frankie Montas takes the mound. Montas has compiled a 4-7 record with a 4.38 ERA over 17 starts this season. He is coming off a performance against the Colorado Rockies where he allowed five earned runs over seven innings. His counterpart for the Nationals will be Patrick Corbin, who holds a 4-9 record with a 5.57 ERA over 19 starts. Corbin has struggled with the long ball, giving up at least one home run in each of his last four outings. However, he did pitch seven scoreless innings on June 24th and is expected to finish with five strikeouts in this game.
Recent Performances
The Reds recently dropped a closely contested game against the Miami Marlins, losing 3-2. Nick Lodolo gave up two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings during that game, while Elly De La Cruz provided an early spark with a home run in the first inning. Showing resilience, the Reds have a 4-1 record over their last five away games and maintain a 5-5 record when playing as favorites.
The Nationals faced a tougher challenge in their previous game, getting routed by the Milwaukee Brewers 9-3. Jake Irvin struggled on the mound, giving up six earned runs in four innings. Over their last five home games, the Nationals have managed a 2-3 record. Despite their recent form, they have a 6-4 straight-up record as underdogs and a balanced 5-5 record against the run line when labeled as such. Notably, they've registered a disappointing 3-7 record over their last 10 games, although they did win two out of three games in a recent series against the Brewers.
Offensive Stats and Key Players
The Reds seem to have a slight edge offensively, averaging 4.5 runs per game, which ranks them 14th in the league. Their batting average of .231 leaves some room for improvement, as it places them 17th in on-base percentage and 25th in strikeouts. Spencer Steer has been a standout performer, driving in 60 runs and hitting 15 homers, making him 10th best in RBIs in the MLB.
On the other hand, the Nationals are averaging 4.1 runs per game, which ranks 23rd in the league but slightly better when playing at home with an average of 4.2 runs. Their .239 batting average is respectable, placing them 13th in on-base percentage. CJ Abrams leads the team with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs, although he has been struggling recently, going 3 for 21 in his last five games.
Betting Insights and Key Absences
The over/under for the game is set at nine runs. In similar situations, the Reds have a record of 2-16-3, while the Nationals have fared better with a 7-7-2 mark. As for notable absences, the Reds will be without Joey Gallo, Luke Maile, and Matt McLain. The Nationals are missing Trevor Williams, Josiah Gray, and CJ Abrams.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding their absences, the Reds have been impressive on the run line, boasting a 53-44 record and an even more dominant 30-14 performance on the road. The Nationals also have a commendable record against the run line as underdogs, at 46-34.
All eyes will be on Nationals Park, where two teams looking to make up ground in their respective divisions will clash. With key players on both sides and a fascinating matchup of starting pitchers, this game promises to offer an evening of high-stakes baseball action.