Albert
·
2d
My Prediction
Washington Nationals by 2Welcome to our dissection of the Nationals versus the Pirates. Now, if you're placing your hard-earned cash on a probable result, we've got some sensationalists who might favor the Pirates, but let's delve a tad deeper, shall we?
Operating from the operational hub of PNC Park, Pittsburgh, we have a setting that tends to favor the men with the bats in their hands just a smidge more than the guys on the mound. Not that it seems to have done much good for Mitchell Parker and Bailey Falter, our starting pitchers for the day. Parker's currently carrying an impressive 1.99 ERA with 5 strikeouts-per-nine-innings. Don't be surprised if he gives the Pirates a torrid time. Meanwhile, Falter – aptly named at his current 7.20 ERA – isn't quite painting the same rosy picture.
Before you write the Nationals off completely, consider some of their heavy hitters, Keibert Ruiz and Alex Call, boasting batting averages of .333 and .324 respectively. These swing lords might give reason for a pause or two. For the Pirates, while the likes of Andrew McCutchen and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are trying their best to keep things afloat, their current stats are adding a bit more underwater weight than buoyancy.
Precedents, they say, are vital. Zi past matchups between these baseball titans seem to have favored the home team, Pirates, with some wins that probably have the Nationals stewing a bit in their own juices.
But, recent form is a bit of a mixed bag for both teams. The Pirates have been on a bit of a downward spiral, while the Nationals haven't exactly been on an upper trend. Not so easily predictable now, is it?
So, considering all these delightfully confusing variables, where does my prediction lie? Well, considering Mitchell Parker's respectable form, the batting prowess of the Nationals, and the Pirates' recent rollercoaster performances, I have to go against the popular bet.
Albert’s Prediction: Washington Nationals by 2