As the Cincinnati Reds gear up to face the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Friday evening, baseball enthusiasts are in for an intriguing matchup. Set to kick off at 6:45 PM ET, the game pits two teams with struggling seasons against each other, each looking to make up ground in their respective divisions.
Current Standings and Team Performance
The Cincinnati Reds, coming into the contest, boast a season record of 47-50. Despite being in 4th place in the NL Central, trailing the Brewers by eight games, the Reds have given fans a reason to hope, with a recent upturn in their away game performance, winning four out of their last five on the road.
On the other hand, the Washington Nationals hold a 44-53 record and stand 4th in the NL East behind the Phillies by a daunting 18.5 games. The Nationals, however, have struggled at home recently, holding a 2-3 record over their last five games at Nationals Park and posting a dismal 3-7 over their last ten overall.
Pitching Duel: Montas vs. Corbin
The game will see Frankie Montas on the mound for the Reds. Montas, with a 4-7 record and a 4.38 ERA in 17 starts, has had a season of ups and downs. His last outing saw him give up five earned runs in seven innings against the Rockies, an effort he undoubtedly hopes to improve on this occasion.
The Nationals counter with Patrick Corbin, whose season has been marred by inconsistency. With a 4-9 record and a 5.57 ERA across 19 starts, Corbin has struggled to find his rhythm. Notably, he has given up at least one home run in each of his last four outings, though he did pitch seven scoreless innings on June 24th, showing flashes of his potential. In this matchup, Corbin is projected to finish with five strikeouts, an effort that will be critical if the Nationals are to keep the Reds at bay.
Offensive Production and Key Players
Offensively, the Reds average 4.5 runs per game, placing them 14th in the league. Their batting average of .231 ranks them 17th in on-base percentage and 25th in strikeouts, indicating a lineup that has struggled to consistently get on base and put the ball in play. Despite these challenges, Spencer Steer has been a bright spot, driving in 60 runs and hitting 15 homers, placing him 10th best in RBIs in the MLB.
The Nationals, while averaging 4.1 runs per game (ranking 23rd in the league), see a slight uptick to 4.2 runs per game at home. With a team batting average of .239 and a 13th rank in on-base percentage, they have shown a bit more consistency in getting runners aboard. CJ Abrams leads the team with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs but is currently in a slump, going 3/21 in his last five games.
Recent Games and Betting Odds
Both teams are coming off losses, with the Reds falling to the Marlins, 3-2, in a game where Nick Lodolo surrendered two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings and Elly De La Cruz hit a home run in the first. The Nationals faced a heavier defeat, losing 9-3 to the Brewers as Jake Irvin gave up six earned runs in four innings. However, the Nationals did manage to win two of three games in their most recent series against the Brewers, providing a glimmer of hope for a turnaround.
In the betting realm, the Reds enter this matchup as the favored team, despite a 5-5 record when playing as favorites. The Nationals, though underdogs with a +105 line, have shown resilience, posting a 6-4 straight-up record as underdogs and a 5-5 record against the run line in similar situations. With the over/under set at nine runs, the Reds have struggled under these conditions, holding a 2-16-3 record, whereas the Nationals are more balanced with a 7-7-2 record.
Notable Absences and Final Thoughts
Both teams will be playing without some key players. For the Reds, Joey Gallo, Luke Maile, and Matt McLain will be missing from the lineup. The Nationals will be without Trevor Williams, Josiah Gray, and CJ Abrams, factors that could influence the game’s outcome.
As the Reds and Nationals take the field, it will be a clash of two teams eager to prove their mettle. With Montas and Corbin on the mound, offensive production, defensive strategies, and key player performances will all be under the spotlight. Baseball fans can look forward to an engaging evening as both teams strive for a much-needed victory to potentially turn their seasons around.