On Friday evening, baseball fans will witness an intriguing match-up as the Cincinnati Reds face off against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park at 6:45 PM ET. Both teams are looking to make a statement as they push through the midseason pressures.
Team Standings
The Cincinnati Reds come into this game with a season record of 47-50, positioning them in 4th place in the NL Central, trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by eight games. Meanwhile, the Washington Nationals hold a 44-53 record and sit in 4th place in the NL East, 18.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies.
Pitching Matchup
The Reds have designated Frankie Montas to start the game. Montas, has had a challenging season thus far with a 4-7 record and a 4.38 ERA over 17 starts. In his most recent outing, Montas conceded five earned runs over seven innings against the Rockies. His performance on Friday will be crucial as the Reds seek to gain an edge.
On the other side, Patrick Corbin takes the mound for the Nationals. Corbin's season has also been rocky, showcasing a 4-9 record with a 5.57 ERA in 19 starts. Notably, Corbin has allowed at least one home run in each of his last four outings, though he did manage an impressive seven scoreless innings on June 24th. He is projected to finish with five strikeouts in the upcoming game.
Team Form
The Reds have displayed a solid performance in their recent away games, boasting a 4-1 record over their previous five road fixtures. Conversely, the Nationals have struggled at home, recording a 2-3 mark in their last five games at Nationals Park.
The Reds enter the game as favorites, despite the Nationals being marked as underdogs at +105, with a projected 62% chance of victory for Washington. It's worth noting the Reds' mixed results when playing as favorites, holding a 5-5 record in such scenarios.
Recent Performances
Both teams are coming off losses. The Reds fell to the Miami Marlins in a close 3-2 battle, where Nick Lodolo gave up two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings, and Elly De La Cruz hit a home run in the first inning. The Nationals, meanwhile, were defeated by the Milwaukee Brewers with a decisive 9-3 score. In that game, Jake Irvin surrendered six earned runs in four innings.
Despite a troubling 3-7 record over their last 10 games, the Nationals did manage to secure two wins in their three-game series against the Brewers, signaling they can still rally when needed.
Key Players
For the Reds, Spencer Steer continues to be a standout player, driving in 60 runs and hitting 15 homers, earning him a place among the top 10 in RBIs in the MLB. The team averages 4.5 runs per game, giving them a 14th place ranking in the league. However, their batting average of .231 positions them 17th in on-base percentage and 25th in strikeouts.
In contrast, the Nationals average 4.1 runs per game and climb slightly to 4.2 runs per game at home. They maintain a batting average of .239, with a commendable 13th place in on-base percentage. CJ Abrams has been a significant contributor with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs, although he is currently struggling, going 3/21 in his last five games.
Injuries and Absences
Injuries are a concern for both sides. The Reds will miss Joey Gallo, Luke Maile, and Matt McLain, while the Nationals will be without Trevor Williams, Josiah Gray, and CJ Abrams.
Betting Odds
The over/under for the game is set at nine runs. The Reds have historically performed poorly in games with this over/under, holding a 2-16-3 record, whereas the Nationals are more balanced with a 7-7-2 record under these conditions.
Conclusion
As the Reds and Nationals gear up to face each other, the tension is palpable. With both teams looking to improve their standings and make a midseason push, fans can expect a competitive and exciting game. The pitching duel between Montas and Corbin will be a crucial factor, as will the ability of each team to overcome their recent struggles and capitalize on their key players' performance.