The Cincinnati Reds and the Washington Nationals are set to clash at Nationals Park this Friday evening at 6:45 PM ET. Both teams are looking to improve their standings, making this an intriguing matchup for fans and analysts alike.
Team Standings and Season Records
The Reds come into the game with a season record of 47-50, placing them in 4th in the NL Central, trailing the Brewers by eight games. Meanwhile, the Nationals hold a season record of 44-53 and find themselves in 4th place in the NL East, 18.5 games behind the Phillies.
Despite these records, the Reds are considered the favorites for this game, although the Nationals are marked as slight underdogs with a +105 betting line and a projected 62% chance of victory.
Starting Pitchers
Frankie Montas will be on the mound for the Reds. Montas sports a 4-7 record with a 4.38 ERA in 17 starts this season. His last outing against the Rockies saw him give up five earned runs over seven innings, highlighting some struggles.
For the Nationals, Patrick Corbin will get the start. Corbin has had his own challenges with a 4-9 record and a 5.57 ERA in 19 starts this season. He has allowed at least one home run in each of his last four outings, though he did pitch seven scoreless innings on June 24th. Corbin is projected to finish this game with five strikeouts.
Recent Performances
Both teams are coming off losses. The Reds lost their previous game against the Marlins with a close score of 3-2. In that game, Nick Lodolo gave up two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings, and Elly De La Cruz hit a home run in the first inning.
The Nationals, on the other hand, were defeated by the Brewers, 9-3. Jake Irvin gave up six earned runs in four innings during that game. Over their last ten games, the Nationals have registered a 3-7 record but managed to win two of three games in their most recent series against the Brewers.
Offensive and Defensive Metrics
The Reds are averaging 4.5 runs per game, ranking 14th in the league. With a batting average of .231, they rank 17th in on-base percentage and 25th in strikeouts. Spencer Steer has been a key offensive player, driving in 60 runs and hitting 15 homers, placing him 10th best in RBIs in the MLB.
The Nationals average 4.1 runs per game, ranking 23rd in the league, but they improve slightly to 4.2 runs per game when playing at home. Their team batting average stands at .239, ranking them 13th in on-base percentage. CJ Abrams leads the Nationals with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs, though he is currently 3/21 in his last five games.
Betting Insights
The over/under for the game is set at nine runs. The Reds have a 2-16-3 record when the over/under is set at that figure, while the Nationals have a 7-7-2 record under similar conditions.
On the run line, the Reds have a solid record of 53-44, excelling with a 30-14 performance on the road. The Nationals have been competitive as underdogs, posting a 46-34 record against the run line in such situations.
Injury Reports
The Reds will be without key players Joey Gallo, Luke Maile, and Matt McLain, while the Nationals are missing Trevor Williams, Josiah Gray, and CJ Abrams.
This matchup promises an exciting contest as both teams fight to climb the standings. With competitive pitching, offensive potential, and close betting lines, fans can expect a thrilling game at Nationals Park.