Washington’s Gio Gonzalez looked like an All-Star back when he was 6-2 with a 2.10 ERA. However, the left-hander hasn’t personally won since. He looks to end that drought as a favorite at the MLB Odds for Wednesday night in Pittsburgh.
Felipe Vazquez earned his 19th save of the season in the win. Vazquez gave up two singles in the top of the ninth inning to bring the tying run to the plate, but he ultimately induced a game-ending double play groundout from Mark Reynolds. It was the 11th straight scoreless appearance for Vazquez, who has lowered his season ERA to 3.29. He boasts a 52/17 K/BB ratio in 38 1/3 innings. Fellow reliever Kyle Crick has made 11 consecutive scoreless appearances (11.0ip), dating back to 6/15. Crick has held opposing hitters to a .200 average in his 35 appearances this season and to a .154 (6-for-39) clip over his last 11 games.
It’s Trevor Williams (6-7, 4.60) on the mound. Williams surrendered five runs on five hits and two walks across 2.1 innings Friday as he took the loss to Philadelphia. Williams didn’t last long, as the Phillies scored twice in the second and three times in the third before he was lifted. He’s struggled over his last two starts, allowing nine runs on nine hits and four walks (seven innings).
Williams is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in two career appearances (one start) vs. Washington. He’s 0-1 in one start this year; allowed three runs in 5.2 innings and lost a 3-1 decision at Nationals Park on 5/3. He also surrendered one hit, two walks and one run in relief (0.2ip) on 9/26/16 at PNC Park.
How to Bet Washington at Pittsburgh MLB Odds & Pick – July 11th
Murph recorded his first 4-hit game of 2018 tonight. pic.twitter.com/OaZRhikf6M
— #VoteTrea (@Nationals) 11 de julio de 2018
- When: Wednesday, 12:35 PM ET
- Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh
- Probable Pitchers: Gio Gonzalez/Trevor Williams
- TV: None nationally
- Radio: TuneIn
- MLB Odds: Nationals -130, Pirates +129 (9)
Recent Head to Head (Last 10 Games)
- Runs: Washington Nationals 5.50 / Pittsburgh Pirates 3.70
- Hits: Washington Nationals 10.20 / Pittsburgh Pirates 7.20
- Walks: Washington Nationals 3.30 / Pittsburgh Pirates 3.20
- Strikeouts: Washington Nationals 8.50 / Pittsburgh Pirates 8.20
Why Bet on Washington?
The Nationals just can’t get out of their own way. They seemed to have things fixed over the weekend when they won the first three games of a series vs. Miami but then lost the final 10-2 and lost in Pittsburgh in Game 1 of this series on Monday 6-3. One bright spot was Bryce Harper hitting his 22nd home run of the season in the loss to the Pirates. It was a sixth-inning solo shot to dead center off Pirates starter Ivan Nova. Harper finished the night 1-for-4 and is batting just .218 this season. Before Monday’s game, the team activated catcher Matt Wieters from the 10-day disabled list. Wieters ended up missing about two months following surgery on his left hamstring. The 32-year-old was batting .231/.342/.385 with three homers and seven RBI in 23 games prior to the injury. Pedro Severino was sent down. Spencer Kieboom will stick around as the backup catcher. On Tuesday, the team placed lefty closer Sean Doolittle on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to July 7, with left toe inflammation. The thought was that Doolittle’s toe issue was minor, but if he will get some extended rest. It’s unclear if this means he’ll sit out the All-Star Game. Kelvin Herrera will fill in at closer for the Nationals. Doolittle is expected back for the first game after the All-Star break, so this will be an abbreviated return to closing duties for Herrera. The 28-year-old right-hander has posted a 1.89 ERA and 29/5 K/BB ratio in 33 1/3 innings this season between Kansas City and Washington. It’s lefty Gio Gonzalez here. Gonzalez (6-5, 3.76) surrendered two runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out four across five innings Friday against Marlins, as he didn’t factor into the decision. Gonzalez gave up a third-inning run on a Starlin Castro RBI double, and Gonzalez walked in a run during the fifth. He had no chance to pick up the win, as he was lifted from a 2-2 game. The 32-year-old left-hander hasn’t picked up a win since May 28 against Baltimore. The Nationals are 6-2 in Gonzalez’s eight starts vs. the Bucs since 2012. He’s 4-1 with a 4.20 ERA in those outings.Why Bet on Pittsburgh?
Gregory Polanco went 2-for-3 with a home run, four RBI, a walk, a stolen base, and two runs scored Monday in the Pirates’ 6-3 defeat of the Nationals. Polanco opened the night’s scoring with a two-run single in the bottom of the first inning and then belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the second as the Bucs took control early in this one. The 26-year-old outfielder boasts an .815 OPS with 13 home runs, 47 RBI, four steals, and 45 runs scored in 80 games this season. Pittsburgh’s outfielders have combined to produce the second-highest batting average (.280) and OPS (.810) among National League teams, trailing the Cubs (.286 and .823 respectively). The Bucs’ outfielders are pacing the senior circuit in total bases and they also share the league lead in assists (18) with the Cubs.
Felipe Vazquez earned his 19th save of the season in the win. Vazquez gave up two singles in the top of the ninth inning to bring the tying run to the plate, but he ultimately induced a game-ending double play groundout from Mark Reynolds. It was the 11th straight scoreless appearance for Vazquez, who has lowered his season ERA to 3.29. He boasts a 52/17 K/BB ratio in 38 1/3 innings. Fellow reliever Kyle Crick has made 11 consecutive scoreless appearances (11.0ip), dating back to 6/15. Crick has held opposing hitters to a .200 average in his 35 appearances this season and to a .154 (6-for-39) clip over his last 11 games.
It’s Trevor Williams (6-7, 4.60) on the mound. Williams surrendered five runs on five hits and two walks across 2.1 innings Friday as he took the loss to Philadelphia. Williams didn’t last long, as the Phillies scored twice in the second and three times in the third before he was lifted. He’s struggled over his last two starts, allowing nine runs on nine hits and four walks (seven innings).
Williams is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in two career appearances (one start) vs. Washington. He’s 0-1 in one start this year; allowed three runs in 5.2 innings and lost a 3-1 decision at Nationals Park on 5/3. He also surrendered one hit, two walks and one run in relief (0.2ip) on 9/26/16 at PNC Park.
Latest MLB Betting Trends
- Nationals are 6-14 in Gonzalez’s last 20 starts vs. National League Central
- Nationals are 1-4 in Gonzalez’s last 5 road starts vs. a team with a losing record
- Pirates are 1-4 in Williams’ last 5 starts
- Pirates are 0-5 in Williams’ last 5 starts with 4 days of rest
- Washington is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games
- Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington’s last 7 games on the road
- Pittsburgh is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
- Pittsburgh is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 5 games
