This Friday evening, baseball fans are in for a treat as the Cincinnati Reds take on the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park at 6:45 PM ET. This matchup promises to be an exciting one, with both teams looking to improve their standings in their respective divisions.
Team Records and Standings
The Cincinnati Reds come into the game with a season record of 47-50, sitting in 4th place in the NL Central. They trail the first-place Milwaukee Brewers by eight games. Despite being out of the top spots, the Reds have shown resilience, recently posting a 4-1 record over their last five away games. Notably, they are averaging 4.5 runs per game, clinching the 14th spot in the league for runs per game.
On the other hand, the Washington Nationals hold a 44-53 record and are also in 4th place, but in the NL East. They find themselves trailing the Philadelphia Phillies by a significant 18.5 games. Recently, the Nationals have struggled, with a 3-7 record over their last 10 games and a 2-3 record at home over their last five games. The team averages 4.1 runs per game, ranking 23rd in the league.
Pitching Matchups
Frankie Montas will start for the Reds. Montas has a season record of 4-7 with a 4.38 ERA across 17 starts. In his previous outing against the Colorado Rockies, he gave up five earned runs over seven innings. His performance will be crucial for the Reds, who are looking to exploit the Nationals' recent inconsistencies.
Starting for the Nationals will be Patrick Corbin. Corbin has a 4-9 record this season with a 5.57 ERA in 19 starts. His recent form has been shaky; 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 with five strikeouts in the game against the Reds.
Key Absences and Recent Performances
The Reds will face the Nationals missing notable players Joey Gallo, Luke Maile, and Matt McLain. Meanwhile, the Nationals will be without Trevor Williams, Josiah Gray, and CJ Abrams. CJ Abrams, despite his absence in the upcoming game, has been an essential player for the Nationals, leading the team with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs.
In their previous games, the Reds lost to the Miami Marlins with a score of 3-2. Nick Lodolo contributed to the game by giving up two earned runs over 4 2/3 innings, and Elly De La Cruz hit a home run in the first inning. On the flip side, the Nationals were beaten by the Milwaukee Brewers with a score of 9-3, where Jake Irvin gave up six earned runs in four innings.
The Nationals had a bright spot recently, winning two out of three games in their series against the Brewers, indicating that they can compete against formidable opponents.
Betting Odds and Projections
Interestingly, despite their records, the betting odds favor the Reds in this game. The Nationals are labeled as underdogs at +105 with a projected 62% chance of victory. This might seem contradictory, but it underscores the unpredictable nature of baseball. The over/under for the game is set at nine runs. The Reds have a 2-16-3 record under this condition, while the Nationals have fared slightly better with a 7-7-2 record.
Team and Player Statistics
Spencer Steer has been a standout player for the Reds, driving in 60 runs and hitting 15 homers, putting him in 10th place for RBIs in the league. Meanwhile, the Reds’ team batting average of .231 places them 17th in on-base percentage but a concerning 25th in strikeouts. The Nationals fare slightly better with a .239 batting average, ranking 13th in on-base percentage.
The Nationals will need to address their recent form to be competitive in this game. CJ Abrams, though currently struggling with a 3/21 performance in his last five games, will need to regain his form to lift the Nationals’ offense.
Final Thoughts
This matchup between the Cincinnati Reds and the Washington Nationals promises to be a captivating encounter. As both teams look to climb their way up from their respective fourth-place division standings, every game becomes crucial. Fans can look forward to a compelling game filled with strategic plays, key pitches, and hopefully, some electrifying home runs.