The Cincinnati Reds are set to face the Washington Nationals this Friday evening at Nationals Park with a scheduled start time of 6:45 PM ET. The two teams, both harboring hopes of climbing their respective division standings, will look to capitalize on this matchup.
Cincinnati Reds: A Season in Balance
The Reds enter the game sporting a 47-50 season record, positioning them in fourth place in the NL Central. They lag behind the Milwaukee Brewers by eight games. Despite their mid-table mediocrity, Cincinnati has shown flashes of potential, particularly when playing away from home. With a 4-1 record over their previous five away games, they seem to thrive on the road.
On the mound for Cincinnati will be Frankie Montas, who has a somewhat uneven season with a 4-7 record and a 4.38 ERA in 17 starts. His recent performance has been shaky; he gave up five earned runs in seven innings against the Rockies in his last outing. However, Montas has a chance to stabilize with a strong showing against the Nationals. The Reds find themselves favored in this matchup, emphasizing the importance of a solid start from Montas.
Washington Nationals: Battling the Odds
The Nationals come into the game with a 44-53 record, anchoring them in fourth place in the NL East, a daunting 18.5 games behind the Phillies. Their recent form hasn't been encouraging, managing a 2-3 record at home over their past five games and a broader 3-7 record over their last 10 games. Despite these struggles, the Nationals did take two of three in their most recent series against the Brewers, offering a glimmer of hope.
Patrick Corbin will take the hill for Washington. The veteran left-hander has faced his own set of challenges this season, holding a 4-9 record accompanied by a 5.57 ERA across 19 starts. Corbin's vulnerability has often come via the long ball, having given up at least one home run in each of his last four outings. Yet, he is also capable of brilliance, as evidenced by his seven scoreless innings on June 24th. He is projected to finish the game with five strikeouts, a figure that could turn the tide if realized.
Key Matchups and Missing Stars
In terms of team offense, the Reds are averaging 4.5 runs per game, placing them 14th in the league. Their collective batting average sits at .231, ranking them 17th in on-base percentage while struggling at 25th in strikeouts. Spencer Steer has been a standout player for Cincinnati, boasting 15 homers and 60 RBIs, positioning him 10th best in RBIs in MLB.
The Nationals, on the other hand, average 4.1 runs per game, ranking 23rd in the league, but they see a slight increase to 4.2 runs when playing at home. Their team batting average of .239 is complemented by their 13th ranking in on-base percentage. Shortstop CJ Abrams leads the team offensively with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs, though he’s been in a slump, hitting just 3/21 in his last five games.
Both teams will be missing key players. The Reds will be without Joey Gallo, Luke Maile, and Matt McLain, while the Nationals will miss Trevor Williams, Josiah Gray, and CJ Abrams. These absences could tilt the balance of the game, requiring others to step up in their place.
Betting Insights
As for betting perspectives, the Reds find themselves as favorites. However, the Nationals, despite being underdogs with a +105 mark, have managed a 6-4 straight-up record as underdogs and a 5-5 record against the run line in those situations. Interestingly, the Nationals have a projected 62% chance of victory, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the game. 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 nine, whereas the Nationals hold a 7-7-2 record under similar conditions.
Recent Performance
Both teams are looking to bounce back from recent defeats. The Reds lost 3-2 to the Marlins in their previous game, with Nick Lodolo giving up two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings, and Elly De La Cruz providing a spark with a home run in the first inning. Meanwhile, the Nationals suffered a heavy 9-3 loss to the Brewers, with Jake Irvin surrendering six earned runs in four innings.
The important game at Nationals Park promises to be a revealing contest for both teams as they seek to navigate their way through the latter part of the season. With much at stake and several key players on both sides, the matchup could very well be a defining moment for Cincinnati and Washington.