Baseball Odds: MLB Network will be televising the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals on Thursday. The home team should be a slight favorite in this game even though they are set to send Edinson Volquez to the mound. The Washington Nationals won’t have Gio Gonzalez for this start as he was put on the DL so it could be Blake Treinen who gets the start. Here is a look at the matchup and baseball predictions.
Probable Pitching Matchup – Treinen vs. Volquez
The Washington Nationals had to put Gio Gonzalez on the DL and it looks like Blake Treinen will get this start on Thursday. His numbers are really good although in limited action. He has thrown just 11 2/3 innings this season with a 0.77 ERA. He has made just one start as he went five innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this month. He went five innings and allowed seven hits and three runs although none of the runs were earned.
Edinson Volquez comes into this game at 1-4 with an ERA of 4.71 on the season. He has not pitched well for much of this season but normally he is better at home than on the road. The long ball has been the problem for Volquez as he has given up eight home runs in his last four starts.
Game Notes
Injuries are definitely a concern for the Washington Nationals who have a number of key players on the DL. They just recently got back Doug Fister but now they lose Gonzalez who joins Ryan Zimmerman and Bryce Harper on the DL.
Series Notes
These teams have split their last ten meetings with two of the last three going under. They have also split the last ten meetings in Washington with two of the last three going over the total.
Baseball Predictions
I have no confidence at all in Volquez so I will take the Washington Nationals in this one and also play the game over the baseball odds at the online sportsbook.
