Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Washington Nationals Picks and Prediction, Saturday, September 13, 2025
Use Code WWWC The Pittsburgh Pirates (64-84) and the Washington Nationals (61-86) will play their second of a three-game set of Saturday afternoon in this Pirates vs. Nationals prediction. These teams met on Friday, with the Nationals winning 6-5. The Pirates currently hold the lead in the season series at 3-2. Pittsburgh will start Bubba Chandler (7.36 ERA) with Washington sending out Andrew Alvarex (1.86 ERA). First pitch is set for 4:05 EST. Keep reading to see our Pirates vs. Nationals prediction, and check out all of our winning Free MLB Picks.
Pittsburgh Loses Seven Straight
The Pittsburgh Pirates have not yet been mathematically eliminated from the postseason, but after their seven-game losing streak, it is pretty clear the Pirates will not be playing in October. They got swept by the Brewers and the Orioles before heading into this series in Washington, and lost the first game here as well. Pittsburgh will finish last in the AL Central this season.
Their offense still has plenty of potential, but could not put it together for long enough stretches to remain competitive. O'Neil Cruz has all the power in the world, with a bat speed and exit velocity near the top of the charts on the season. With that said, Cruz still only had 19 home runs this season, a number that the Pittsburgh fans and front office would have liked to have been much higher. He still led the team with those 19 home runs and added 59 RBIs in his season, where he transitioned from the shortstop spot to centerfield. Bryna Reynolds is their veteran right fielder; he has 15 home runs and 71 RBIs on the year.
Bubba Chandler will make his second start of the season, while the 22-year-old right-hander has made three other appearances out of the bullpen. This is his rookie season, but unfortunately, is up to a 7.36 ERA. In his last start, he gave up nine runs in 2.2 innings in a tough start against the Brewers.
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Nationals Win on Friday
The Washington Nationals picked up a 6-5 win on Friday against the Pirates to build their confidence, but not much more will be expected as they sit in 14th out of 15 teams in the National League. Similar to the Pirates, Washington is not mathematically eliminated, but most bettors would put their entire bankroll on the Nats to miss the playoffs if the odds were right. In Friday's game, Washington got an RBI single from Josh Bell to help carry the team to a win.
Bell is their well-traveled first baseman. The 33-year-old had played for multiple teams in the league, but is still putting up decent numbers with 20 home runs and 60 RBIs. Bell is batting .234 and has been batting third in the lineup recently. The main core of talent for Washington is loaded with young players, especially James Wood who bats second in the lineup out of left field. He was an All-Star this season and had two hits on Friday. Wood has 27 home runs and 88 RBIs on the season.
Andrew Alvarez will make just his third start of his career in this game. The 26-year-old left-hander is a rookie, but looked strong in each of his first two games. He kept the Marlins scoreless over five innings in his debut, and only gave up two earned runs in his second start against the Cubs.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Washington Nationals picks and predictions
Moneyline Pick for Pirates vs. Nationals
- Nationals (4 units)
Let's face it, both of these teams are cooked. Neither is officially out of the playoff race yet, but it is apparent neither will be able to make a run as we head into mid-September. The only question remaining is which team is still fighting? That team is the Nationals. Pittsburgh lost each of its last seven games, and the competition was not out of this world as they just dropped three against the Orioles, who sit in last place in the AL East. Washington has more young talent to be excited about, especially Cruz and Abrams. Both teams are starting rookie pitchers, so I will side with the team with the better offense.
Take the Nationals to win
Over/Under Pick for Pirates vs. Nationals
- Over (4 units)
There are only three combined starts between these two pitchers, as each rookie was pulled up late in the season, as each managerial staff needs to figure out what kind of assets they have going forward. Neither was a top prospect coming into this year; otherwise, they would have been called up earlier. Chandler is coming off a nightmare game where he gave up nine runs to the Brewers in just a handful of innings. Alvarez has been strong for Washington, but it is difficult to trust a pitcher in just his third career start as a 26-year-old. Expect the pitching staff to allow plenty of points in this one.
Take the under.
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