Reds and Nationals Set for Evening Showdown at Nationals Park
This Friday evening, the Cincinnati Reds (47-50) will face off against the Washington Nationals (44-53) at Nationals Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:45 PM ET. Both teams find themselves ranked fourth in their respective divisions, with the Reds trailing the Brewers by eight games in the NL Central and the Nationals lagging 18.5 games behind the Phillies in the NL East.
Pitching Match-Up
The Reds will have Frankie Montas on the mound. Montas, who holds a 4-7 record and a 4.38 ERA from 17 starts this season, had a rough outing in his last game, giving up five earned runs over seven innings against the Rockies. Still, his overall performance has shown flashes of competence, and the Reds will be counting on him to deliver a steady showing in Washington.
The Nationals counter with Patrick Corbin, who has faced his own set of struggles this season. With a 4-9 record and a 5.57 ERA across 19 starts, Corbin has been susceptible to the long ball, surrendering at least one home run in each of his last four outings. While he did pitch seven scoreless innings on June 24th, consistency has eluded him. Nevertheless, Corbin is projected to strike out five batters in this game, and the Nationals will hope for a resurgence from their southpaw.
Team Form and Recent Performance
The Reds enter Friday's game on a solid run of away form, boasting a 4-1 record in their last five road games. Overall, when playing as favorites, they have a 5-5 record and an impressive 30-14 performance on the run line while on the road. However, they will have to improve on their overall season batting average of .231, which places them 17th in on-base percentage and 25th in strikeouts. The team's offensive contributors, like Spencer Steer—who has driven in 60 runs and hit 15 homers—play a significant role in their run-scoring efforts. The Reds, averaging 4.5 runs per game, rank 14th in the league in this category.
On the other side, the Nationals bring a mixed home record, going 2-3 in their last five games at Nationals Park. As underdogs, they have a 6-4 straight-up record, and a 5-5 record against the runline. Despite losing their previous game against the Brewers 9-3, the Nationals have shown some resilience, taking two of three games in their most recent series against Milwaukee. Yet, a concerning 3-7 record over the last ten games raises questions about their current form. CJ Abrams, their leading offensive weapon with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs, has struggled recently, going 3/21 in his last five games.
Game Odds and Predictions
The Reds are favored to win this matchup, reflecting their comparatively better recent form and overall season record. However, oddsmakers give the Nationals a notable 62% chance of victory, presenting an intriguing battle for Friday night. The Nationals are underdogs at +105; their history of performing well in this role (46-34 against the runline as underdogs) adds to the intrigue.
Key Absences
Both teams will be missing noticeable contributors. The Reds will play without Joey Gallo, Luke Maile, and Matt McLain, while the Nationals will be without Trevor Williams, Josiah Gray, and CJ Abrams. These absences could impact the dynamics of the game, forcing managers to make strategic adjustments.
Scoring Trends and Over/Under
Friday's game has an over/under set at nine runs, an interesting mark considering both teams' scoring profiles. The Reds have a 2-16-3 record when the over/under is set at nine runs, suggesting they often find themselves in lower-scoring affairs. Conversely, the Nationals have a 7-7-2 record under similar conditions, implying more variability in their scoring outcomes.
The Reds are coming off a narrow 3-2 loss to the Marlins, a game in which Elly De La Cruz hit a home run in the first inning, and Nick Lodolo gave up two earned runs over 4 2/3 innings. In contrast, the Nationals will aim to rebound from their 9-3 defeat to the Brewers, where Jake Irvin surrendered six earned runs over four innings.
With both teams eager to climb the ranks in their respective divisions and individual players striving to make their mark, Friday night's contest at Nationals Park promises to be a competitive and somewhat unpredictable affair. Whether it's the pitchers bouncing back from recent struggles or hitters aiming to break out of slumps, fans can anticipate an engaging matchup under the lights.