As the Cincinnati Reds prepare to take on the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Friday evening, baseball enthusiasts can expect a compelling matchup. Slated for a 6:45 PM ET start, this game features two teams battling for relevance in their respective divisions, each with its own set of challenges and highlights.
Team Records and Standings
The Reds come into this game holding a season record of 47-50, placing them 4th in the NL Central. They trail the division-leading Brewers by eight games. Despite these standings, the Reds have demonstrated resilience, especially on the road, where they hold a 4-1 record over their last five away games. However, they face another challenge after a close 3-2 loss to the Marlins in their previous outing, where Nick Lodolo put in a respectable 4 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs.
On the other side of the diamond, the Washington Nationals hold a 44-53 record and sit 4th in the NL East, trailing the Phillies by a sizeable 18.5 games. The Nationals’ recent performance has been less encouraging, showing a 3-7 record over their last 10 games. They also lost their previous game against the Brewers, conceding a 9-3 defeat, with Jake Irvin giving up six earned runs in four innings.
Pitching Matchups
Friday's game will showcase Frankie Montas on the mound for the Reds. Montas has a 4-7 record with a 4.38 ERA across 17 starts this season. In his last outing, he allowed five earned runs in seven innings against the Rockies. The Reds will be looking for a bounce-back performance from Montas as they aim to solidify their standing in the league.
The Nationals will counter with Patrick Corbin, who has experienced a challenging season, posting a 4-9 record with a 5.57 ERA over 19 starts. Notably, Corbin has surrendered at least one home run in each of his last four outings. However, he has shown moments of brilliance, evident in his seven scoreless innings pitched on June 24th. Corbin's ability to regain that form will be crucial for the Nationals, who are projected to lean on him for at least five strikeouts in the game.
Offensive Outlook
Offensively, the Reds have managed an average of 4.5 runs per game, ranking 14th in the league. Their batting average stands at .231, positioning them 17th in on-base percentage and 25th in strikeouts. Key player Spencer Steer has been a standout, driving in 60 runs and hitting 15 homers, making him the 10th best in RBIs in the MLB. In their previous game against the Marlins, Elly De La Cruz also demonstrated his offensive prowess with a homer in the first inning.
The Nationals, averaging 4.1 runs per game, rank 23rd in the league in that category. At home, they slightly improve to 4.2 runs per game. Their batting average sits at .239, with a respectable 13th place in on-base percentage. CJ Abrams has been a key contributor to the Nationals' offense, leading the way with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs. However, Abrams has hit a rough patch, going 3 for 21 in his last five games, which the Nationals will need him to shake off to stay competitive.
Both teams face significant absences. The Reds will be missing Joey Gallo, Luke Maile, and Matt McLain. The Nationals will have to cope without Trevor Williams, Josiah Gray, and CJ Abrams, further complicating their lineup and pitching strategy.
Betting and Odds
Despite their recent loss, the Reds are favored for this matchup. The Nationals, marked as underdogs at +105, have a 62% projected chance of victory. Historically, the Nationals maintain a 6-4 straight-up record as underdogs and a 5-5 record against the runline in similar situations.
The over/under for the game is set at nine runs. The Reds have struggled with this specific over/under, holding a 2-16-3 record. In contrast, the Nationals have been more balanced with a 7-7-2 record under similar conditions.
Overall, both teams bring a mixture of strengths and vulnerabilities into this game. The Reds have shown consistency and grit, especially on the road, while the Nationals look to leverage home-field advantage and turn around recent inconsistencies. As fans gather at Nationals Park, this game promises to offer a blend of strategic pitching, timely hitting, and the ever-present unpredictability that makes baseball an enduring spectacle.