The Cincinnati Reds are set to face off against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Friday evening, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:45 PM ET. The game features two teams grappling with their standings in their respective divisions, facing off in what promises to be a compelling matchup.
Reds and Nationals: Season Overview
The Reds enter the game with a season record of 47-50, currently holding the 4th place in the NL Central. Despite their position, they trail the division-leading Brewers by eight games. Meanwhile, the Nationals, also in 4th place within their division, carry a season record of 44-53, which places them significantly behind the Phillies by 18.5 games.
In terms of betting odds, the Reds are tagged as favorites for this contest. However, the Nationals maintain a notable chance for an upset, marked as underdogs at +105 but with a projected 62% chance of securing a victory. This sets the stage for an unpredictable and exciting game.
Starting Pitchers: Montas vs. Corbin
The matchup on the mound will be pivotal as Frankie Montas starts for the Reds and Patrick Corbin takes the ball for the Nationals. Montas, with a 4-7 record and a 4.38 ERA across 17 starts this season, is coming off a seven-inning performance against the Rockies where he surrendered five earned runs. Meanwhile, Corbin, sporting a 4-9 record with a 5.57 ERA over 19 starts, has struggled with the long ball, having given up at least one home run in each of his last four outings. Despite these challenges, Corbin managed to pitch seven scoreless innings on June 24th, showcasing his potential to deliver in crucial moments.
Projected to finish with five strikeouts, Corbin's performance will be critical for the Nationals. Both pitchers will look to bounce back from their recent setbacks, which could very well determine the direction of the game.
Recent Performances and Key Players
The Reds have been solid on the road recently, boasting a 4-1 record over their previous five away games. In contrast, the Nationals have struggled at home with a 2-3 record in their last five games. Interestingly, as favorites, the Reds have a 5-5 record, while the Nationals have a 6-4 straight-up record and a 5-5 record against the runline as underdogs.
Both teams are coming off losses, contributing to their need for a victory. The Reds recently fell to the Marlins with a narrow 3-2 defeat, where Nick Lodolo conceded two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings. Despite the loss, Elly De La Cruz provided a highlight with a home run in the first inning.
On the Nationals' side, they suffered a heavy 9-3 defeat to the Brewers, with Jake Irvin giving up six earned runs in four innings. However, it's worth noting that the Nationals managed to win two out of three games in their most recent series against the Brewers.
Offensive and Defensive Stats
Offensively, the Reds are averaging 4.5 runs per game, placing them 14th in the league. Their batting average stands at .231, ranking them 17th in on-base percentage but also placing them 25th in strikeouts. Spencer Steer is a standout for the Reds, having driven in 60 runs and hit 15 homers, ranking 10th best in RBIs in the MLB.
The Nationals, averaging 4.1 runs per game, rank 23rd in the league and slightly better at home with 4.2 runs per game. Their batting average is .239, placing them 13th in on-base percentage. CJ Abrams has been a key contributor with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs, though he's currently experiencing a slump, going 3/21 in his last five games.
Injuries and Odds
Several notable players will be absent from the lineup. The Reds will be without Joey Gallo, Luke Maile, and Matt McLain, while the Nationals will miss Trevor Williams, Josiah Gray, and CJ Abrams. As for betting circumstances, 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, while the Nationals hold a 7-7-2 record in similar conditions.
Run line performance also adds an intriguing element, as the Reds have a 53-44 record on the run line overall and a dominant 30-14 performance on the road. Conversely, the Nationals boast a 46-34 record against the run line as underdogs, indicating their potential to defy expectations.
With factors like pitching matchups, recent team performances, and key player stats in play, the upcoming clash between the Reds and the Nationals is poised to be an engaging contest with both teams eager to improve their standings.