As the Cincinnati Reds gear up to face the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park this Friday at 6:45 PM ET, fans can expect a clash between two teams struggling to find consistency this season. Despite having a losing record, the Reds hold a slight edge in the betting odds over the Nationals, who have recently faced numerous challenges on their home turf.
Team Standings and Current Form
The Cincinnati Reds enter the game with a 47-50 record, placing them 4th in the NL Central and trailing the Brewers by eight games. The Washington Nationals, with a 44-53 record, also find themselves in 4th place, but in the NL East, lagging behind the Phillies by a substantial 18.5 games.
Recent performances highlight the Reds' competitive edge, particularly on the road, where they’ve recorded a 4-1 streak in their last five away games. Conversely, the Nationals have struggled at home, managing only a 2-3 record over their last five games. Despite the Reds’ fluctuating form as favorites (5-5) and the Nationals’ respectable 6-4 straight-up record as underdogs, tonight's game tilts in favor of the visitors.
Pitching Matchup
Frankie Montas, who will take the mound for the Reds, brings a mixed bag of results this season. With a 4-7 record and a 4.38 ERA over 17 starts, Montas has shown flashes of brilliance but struggled for consistency. In his last outing against the Rockies, he allowed five earned runs in seven innings, highlighting the challenges he faces in maintaining form.
Opposing Montas will be Patrick Corbin of the Nationals, whose season has been even more turbulent. Corbin holds a 4-9 record with a 5.57 ERA across 19 starts. The southpaw has been prone to giving up the long ball, surrendering at least one home run in each of his last four appearances. However, a notable performance on June 24th saw him pitch seven scoreless innings, indicating his potential to guide the Nationals to a much-needed victory. Corbin is projected to finish with five strikeouts in the game, a stat worth monitoring.
Recent Game Performances
The Reds are coming off a narrow 3-2 loss to the Miami Marlins, where pitcher Nick Lodolo surrendered two earned runs over 4 2/3 innings, and Elly De La Cruz provided an offensive spark with a home run in the first inning. The Nationals, on the other hand, suffered a heavy 9-3 defeat to the Brewers, with Jake Irvin giving up six earned runs in four innings.
Despite these setbacks, the Nationals can find solace in their performance over a recent series against the Brewers, in which they won two out of three games. However, their overall form remains concerning, as they've posted a 3-7 record across their last ten games.
Offensive and Defensive Insights
Offensively, the Reds have outperformed the Nationals, averaging 4.5 runs per game (14th in the league) compared to the Nationals' 4.1 runs per game (23rd in the league). Although their batting average of .231 ranks 17th in on-base percentage and 25th in strikeouts, players like Spencer Steer, who has driven in 60 runs and hit 15 home runs, have been key contributors to the Reds' offensive efforts.
The Nationals’ offense has shown moments of promise, especially at home where they average 4.2 runs per game. CJ Abrams leads the team with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs, although his recent slump (3/21 in his last five games) has been a concern for Washington.
Betting and Absences
The betting line for this game is set with the Nationals as underdogs at +105 and the over/under at nine runs. Historically, the Reds have struggled when the over/under is set at nine runs, showing a 2-16-3 record, whereas the Nationals have performed slightly better under similar conditions with a 7-7-2 record.
Both teams will be missing key players; Joey Gallo, Luke Maile, and Matt McLain for the Reds, and Trevor Williams, Josiah Gray, and CJ Abrams for the Nationals. These absences could significantly impact team dynamics and performance.
In a matchup featuring two teams battling their own inconsistencies, the game promises an intriguing contest for both fans and bettors. As Frankie Montas and Patrick Corbin take their places on the mound, the spotlight will be on who can manage to find the rhythm and lead their team to victory. While the Reds may be favored, the Nationals, with their back against the wall, might just pull off a surprise.