Washington Nationals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 04/16/26

The Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates finish a 4-game set on Thursday afternoon. They have traded wins so far, with the Pirates taking the first and third game. Wednesday was a quiet 2-0 game that was particularly surprising with 2 good offenses and a couple of vulnerable pitchers. On Thursday, we have two good starters on the mound, even if they are not widely known, in Braxton Ashcraft and Foster Griffin. I am looking for the Nats to grab the win, splitting the series. Give me the Nationals at plus money.

Ashcraft is one of the many highly-revered young arms in the Pittsburgh organization. In his last outing, Ashcraft fanned 9 Cubs, and he has opened the season with 3 excellent starts. Griffin has been a diamond in the rough for the Nats, pitching to a 1.76 ERA through 3 starts. Griffin is 30 years old, and this is honestly his first legitimate chance at the Big League level. We can expect good starts from both guys. While the bullpen for Washington is a huge concern, this is a team that hits righties well, and the Pirates struggle against lefties. That alone is enough for me to take a ticket at plus money with the underdog Nats.

Nationals vs Pirates Prediction: Nats ML (+125) available at the time of publishing. Playable at that number.