Washington Nationals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 8th 2024
Preview and Prediction
The Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates may not be in contention for the postseason, but that doesn't mean they have nothing to play for in September.
As they head into the final game of their four-game series in Pittsburgh, both teams are still fighting for a win in the season series. They are playing for each other, for pride, and for the future.
The Nationals have a chance to clinch both the current series and the season series after sweeping Saturday's doubleheader. The teams are currently tied 3-3.
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In the first game of the doubleheader, the Nationals (64-78) came out on top with a 5-3 win. They then rallied for four runs in the top of the ninth in the nightcap, ultimately winning 8-6. The Pirates (66-76) fell to their opponents in both games.
Washington's closer Kyle Finnegan earned his 35th and 36th saves of the season on Saturday, helping his team secure two wins after a long day of baseball.
"These are the kind of days where you have to battle against your own mind and body," Finnegan said. "You may not feel great and you're tired, but that's when you have to push through and challenge yourself. We have a lot of guys on this team who take pride in being available and doing whatever it takes to help the team win."
In Saturday night's game, Andres Chaparro drove in three runs for the Nationals, while Ildemaro Vargas' two-run double on a 3-2 pitch helped secure the victory.
The Pirates received a quality start from Mitch Keller, who threw six innings and only allowed two runs while striking out eight batters. However, their closer Aroldis Chapman struggled, blowing his fifth save and taking his fifth loss of the season after giving up four runs in just 2/3 of an inning.
On Sunday, the Nationals will send left-hander Patrick Corbin (5-12, 5.41 ERA) to the mound for his 29th start of the season. In his last outing, Corbin pitched 5 2/3 innings and gave up two runs on seven hits in a 6-2 win against the Miami Marlins.
Despite having the most losses in the National League, Corbin has had success against the Pirates in his career, with a 6-3 record and a 3.04 ERA in 14 starts.
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The Pirates will counter with rookie right-hander Jared Jones (5-7, 3.91 ERA), who has had a promising debut season. Jones has the third most strikeouts on the Pirates' staff and ranks 11th among all rookies in the majors.
In his last start against the Chicago Cubs, Jones pitched 6 1/3 innings and gave up three earned runs in a no-decision. This will be his first career appearance against the Nationals.
Although he has only made three starts since June due to a lat injury, Jones is eager to pitch in meaningful games for the Pirates. He sees these late-season games as an opportunity to prepare for high-pressure situations in the future.
"I want to, but I can't really say I'm pitching deep in September since I've been out for two months," Jones said. "For me, this is like July."
Washington Nationals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Recap SEP 8TH 2024
Joey Bart hit a two-run home run, rookie Jared Jones pitched seven strong innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Washington Nationals 7-3 on Sunday to earn a split of the four-game series.
Andrew McCutchen and former National Michael A. Taylor added sole home runs for the Pirates (67-76), who bounced back after a doubleheader sweep on Saturday.
Pittsburgh first baseman Billy Cook, called up Sunday from Triple-A Indianapolis, had a two-run double and a single in his major league debut.
Jones (6-7) allowed two runs on four hits and struck out nine without a walk.
CJ Abrams homered for the Nationals (64-79).
Washington starter Patrick Corbin (5-13), who had won his past three starts, allowed seven runs on 10 hits in six innings. He struck out five without a walk.
Abrams led off the game against Jones with his 19th homer of the season.
The Pirates answered in their half of the inning. Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled leading off and went to second on a wild pitch with one out. Bart then lined a two-run homer to left to make it 2-1.
With two outs, Nick Gonzales singled and Bryan De La Cruz doubled him to third. Both runners scored on Cook's ground-rule double and the lead was 4-1.
Washington cut the deficit to 4-2 in the second. Keibert Ruiz and Jose Tena opened with singles and Ruiz later scored on a two-out single by Jacob Young.
McCutchen led off the bottom of the third with his 19th home run of the season to make it 5-2.
Alika Williams doubled leading off the Pittsburgh fourth, went to third on a fielder's choice and beat the throw home on Bryan Reynolds' grounder to second baseman Luis Garcia Jr. for a 6-2 edge.
Taylor led off the bottom of the sixth with a homer to left center to make it 7-2, and Washington's Andres Chaparro doubled home James Wood in the ninth for the 7-3 final.