Reds Prepare for Nationals Showdown at Nationals Park
On Friday evening, the Cincinnati Reds will face off against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:45 PM ET. Both teams find themselves battling through challenging seasons, marked by inconsistent performances and injury struggles.
Season Records and Standings
The Cincinnati Reds enter the matchup with a 47-50 record, placing them 4th in the National League Central division. They trail the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers by eight games, a gap they are eager to narrow as the season progresses.
Conversely, the Washington Nationals hold a 44-53 record and also sit in 4th place, but in the National League East. The Nationals' season has been even tougher, as they find themselves trailing the Philadelphia Phillies by a significant 18.5 games.
Pitchers on the Mound
Frankie Montas is set to start for the Reds. Montas has a 4-7 record accompanied by a 4.38 ERA in 17 starts this season. He’s coming off a performance where he conceded five earned runs in seven innings against the Colorado Rockies, underscoring his recent struggles on the mound.
Patrick Corbin will counter for the Nationals. Corbin’s season has been difficult, posting a 4-9 record with a 5.57 ERA across 19 starts. He has had issues with the long ball, giving up at least one home run in each of his last four outings. However, Corbin flashed his potential on June 24th when he delivered seven scoreless innings, reminding everyone of his capability to dominate.
Recent Form and Key Players
The Reds have shown resilience away from home, posting a 4-1 record over their previous five away games. However, they fell short in their last game against the Miami Marlins, losing 3-2. Notably, Elly De La Cruz hit a home run in the first inning of that game, while Nick Lodolo allowed two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings of work.
Meanwhile, the Nationals have struggled at home with a 2-3 record over their last five games. Their recent series against the Brewers had a mix of high and low points, as they lost their previous game 9-3. Jake Irvin gave up six earned runs in four innings during that defeat. Despite their shaky form, the Nationals managed to win two out of three games in that series against Milwaukee.
Key players for the Reds include Spencer Steer, who has been a consistent offensive force with 60 RBIs and 15 homers, placing him 10th in RBIs in the league. For the Nationals, CJ Abrams leads with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs, though he has struggled recently, going 3/21 in his last five games.
Odds and Trends
The Reds are favored going into this game, although the Nationals have a projected 62% chance of victory despite being marked as underdogs at +105. The over/under for the game is set at nine runs. Historically, the Reds have struggled in games with this over/under set, holding a 2-16-3 record, whereas the Nationals are more balanced at 7-7-2 under similar conditions.
The Reds' performance as favorites has been middling, with a 5-5 record. However, they have been impressive against the runline, particularly on the road with a 30-14 record. The Nationals, conversely, sport a commendable 46-34 record against the run line as underdogs.
Injuries and Absences
Both teams are dealing with some notable absences. For the Reds, Joey Gallo, Luke Maile, and Matt McLain are sidelined. The Nationals will be missing the services of Trevor Williams, Josiah Gray, and CJ Abrams.
As these teams prepare to clash, they both seek to make a statement and gain momentum. The Reds hope to chip away at the Brewers' lead in the NL Central, while the Nationals aim to improve their standing despite a tough season. The outcome of this game could provide a much-needed boost and set the tone for the remainder of their campaigns.