As the sun sets over Nationals Park, baseball fans prepare for an electrifying Friday evening showdown between the Cincinnati Reds and the Washington Nationals, set to commence at 6:45 PM ET. The Reds, entering with a season record of 47-50, find themselves trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by eight games in the NL Central. On the other side, the Nationals, with a 44-53 record, are 18.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East.
Despite their standings, the matchup promises intrigue and excitement. The Reds, who are favored in this game, boast a slightly better position with a projected 62% chance of victory. However, the Nationals, marked as underdogs with a +105 line, are no strangers to defying the odds.
Pitching Duel: Montas vs. Corbin
On the mound for the Reds will be Frankie Montas. So far this season, Montas holds a 4-7 record with a 4.38 ERA across 17 starts. His recent performance against the Rockies saw him surrender five earned runs over seven innings, indicating a need for a bounce-back outing. Montas will be keen to lead the Reds to another victory, as they have fared well, maintaining a 4-1 record in their previous five away games.
Opposing Montas is Patrick Corbin of the Nationals. Corbin’s record this season stands at 4-9, accompanied by a 5.57 ERA across 19 starts. While he has shown flashes of brilliance, such as his seven scoreless innings on June 24th, Corbin has struggled with consistency, allowing at least one home run in each of his last four appearances. To secure a win, Corbin will need to limit the long ball and harness his best form against the Reds, who have a potent lineup with players like Spencer Steer driving in 60 runs this season.
Team Performance and Key Players
The Reds, averaging 4.5 runs per game, rank 14th in the league in this department. Their batting average of .231, though not stellar, places them 17th in on-base percentage and 25th in strikeouts. Spencer Steer has been a key contributor, with 15 home runs and 60 RBIs, marking him as the 10th best in the MLB for RBIs.
Conversely, the Nationals average 4.1 runs per game, which ranks them 23rd in the league. At home, they perform slightly better, averaging 4.2 runs. The Nationals' batting average sits at .239, placing them 13th in on-base percentage. Player to watch, CJ Abrams, leads the team with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs, although his recent form has been worrisome, going just 3/21 in his last five games.
Recent Game Recaps
Both teams are coming off losses. The Reds narrowly lost to the Marlins with a score of 3-2. Nick Lodolo allowed two earned runs over 4 2/3 innings in the defeat, while Elly De La Cruz managed to hit a home run in the first inning, providing an early spark that ultimately wasn't enough.
The Nationals' last game saw a more substantial defeat, falling 9-3 to the Brewers. Jake Irvin struggled on the mound, giving up six earned runs in just four innings. Despite the loss, the Nationals have shown resilience, having won two out of three games in their most recent series against the Brewers. However, their overall record over the past ten games has been a disappointing 3-7.
Game Outlook
Entering this matchup, the statistics present a mixed bag for both teams. The Reds have been slightly better as favorites, with a 5-5 record. Meanwhile, the Nationals have a 6-4 straight-up record as underdogs, showing they are more than capable of upsetting the odds. Against the run line, the Nationals also perform commendably with a 46-34 record as underdogs.
The over/under for the game is set at nine runs. The Reds seem to struggle when the line is set at nine, with a 2-16-3 record under these conditions. The Nationals, on the other hand, have an equitable 7-7-2 record in similar scenarios.
Fans should also note some key absences for both teams. The Reds will be without Joey Gallo, Luke Maile, and Matt McLain. Meanwhile, the Nationals will miss the services of Trevor Williams, Josiah Gray, and CJ Abrams.
With these dynamics in play, the stage is set for a fascinating encounter at Nationals Park. Both teams have their strengths and vulnerabilities, making this game a must-watch for baseball enthusiasts. Whether it's the veteran presence on the mound or the young stars in the lineup, tonight’s game promises to deliver high-stakes action and memorable moments.