On the evening of September 5, 2024, the Washington Nationals are set to clash with the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM under clear skies.

The Nationals will send Jake Irvin to the mound, who holds an ERA of 4.081 for the season. Opposing him will be the Pirates’ Bailey Falter, who enters the game with an ERA of 4.410. In the 2024 NL East Division, the Nationals find themselves in 13th place with a record of 62-77, reflecting a winning percentage of .450. They are 4th in their division following a divisional record of 19-21. The team’s recent performance reveals a mixed record of 4 wins in their last 10 outings, currently experiencing a 1-game losing streak. Their home and road records stand at 32-37 and 30-40 respectively. During daylight, they have claimed 30 games, with a slightly better performance at night, securing 32 wins.

The Pirates, positioned 12th in the NL Central Division with a 65-74 record and a .470 winning percentage, also show a balanced form with 4 wins in their last 10 games and a current 1-game losing streak. They hold a slightly positive record at home (32-36) and a comparable record on the road (33-38). In terms of game time preferences, the Pirates have won 30 day games and 35 under the lights. Their run differential is slightly better, having scored 582 runs and conceded 637.

Looking at the odds for this matchup: the point spread is set at -1.5, the over/under for total runs scored is at 8.5. Regarding the money line, the Pirates are slight favorites at home with -121, while the Nationals are listed at +102. These odds suggest a closely matched contest, with a slight edge given to the Pirates, perhaps influenced by their home advantage and slightly better scoring statistics.