Baseball is back! The Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals will kick off their second half head-to-head. Fittingly, these teams opened the 2024 season against each other.
That series ended with the Reds taking two of three high-scoring battles. However, they were home then, whereas they’re on the road now. Washington couldn’t ask for a better setting to get revenge.
Both teams are alive in the wild-card race but need to get hot before the trade deadline leaves them in the dust. Who will get into the win column in a Friday night showdown?
Cincinnati Reds vs. Washington Nationals Odds
Team |
Spread |
Total |
MoneyLine |
| Cincinnati Reds | -1.5 (+136) | Over 9.0 (-110) | -122 |
| Washington Nationals | +1.5 (-162) | Under 9.0 (-110) | +102 |
**Odds Subject to Change** |
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Cincinnati Reds vs. Washington Nationals Match Details
- Fixture: Cincinnati Reds @ Washington Nationals
- Date and Time: Friday, July 19, 2024 at 6:45 p.m. EST
- Location: Nationals Park in Washington, District of Columbia
Apex Tale of the Tape
| Cincinnati Reds | vs. | Washington Nationals |
| 47-50 | Record | 44-53 |
| 4.45 | Runs/G | 4.14 |
| .231 | BA | .239 |
| .306 | OBP | .308 |
| .396 | SLG | .369 |
| .702 | OPS | .677 |
| 108 | HR | 80 |
| 134 | SB | 126 |
| 3.82 | ERA | 4.14 |
| 1.255 | WHIP | 1.296 |
| 21 | Saves | 26 |
| .982 | Fielding % | .984 |
Key Stats
Cincinnati Reds
- The Reds closed the first half with a 5-2 stretch
- Friday’s starter, Frankie Montas (4.38 ERA), pitched six shutout innings against the Nationals in March
- Reds relievers are top 10 in ERA (5th), FIP (7th), and WAR (4th)
- Cincinnati leads all MLB teams in stolen bases
- This lineup is 26th in batting average and strikeout rate (24.5%)
Washington Nationals
- Washington went 2-6 before the break
- Offensively, the Nationals are a top-10 team in stolen bases (3rd) and strikeout percentage (9th)
- That same lineup is 27th in slugging percentage and 29th in home runs
- Washington’s starter, Patrick Corbin (5.57 ERA), has allowed more hits than any other MLB pitcher this season
- Corbin coughed up four runs in 4.1 innings when he faced the Reds in March
- The Nationals bullpen is seventh in WAR
Prediction
Washington does not win when Corbin starts. 10 of the lefty’s last 11 outings ended with a Nationals loss. He has been tagged for at least three runs in four consecutive starts. The Reds have already punished his pitching this season.
So, a Cincinnati team that is better offensively, great in the bullpen, and was playing better ball before the break has everything lined up in their favor tonight. All Montas has to do is slow down Washington’s offense again. The value for the Cincinnati moneyline is great considering the circumstances, so take it.
Final Pick
Cincinnati Reds ML (-122)
About the Author
André is a University of Connecticut graduate. He has been in sports journalism since December 2020. Follow Andre on Twitter at @TowerTalkSports. You can read and follow Andre’s betting picks at Winners and Whiners. He is also an NFL reporter for GiveMeSport.com.
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