The Pittsburgh Pirates (5-1) and Washington Nationals (2-3) meet Thursday for the finale of a 3-game series. First pitch from Nationals Park is set for 4:05 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s'lines around the Pirates vs. Nationals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 1-1
Washington picked up the 5-3 win over Pittsburgh in Wednesday’s game 2 of the series, covering as a +139 home underdogs. The Pirates scored first, plating 2 in the top of the 2nd inning, but the Nationals answered with a 4-run bottom half of the frame for a lead they never would relinquish. 1B Joey Gallo snapped an 0-for-12 streak to open the season with a 3-for-4 outing, including a solo homer in the 2nd.
The loss was Pittsburgh’s first of the season and ended a 5-game win streak. RHP Mitch Keller'was credited with the loss, yielding 5 runs — 4 earned — in 5 1/3 innings. LF Jack Suwinski had 2 of the Pirates’ 4 hits, including a solo blast in the top of the 6th to cut the Bucs’ deficit to 4-3.