Venue, Date & First Pitch
Stadium: PNC Park — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM EDT
Weather Outlook (Inference)
No weather data was provided in the sources.
Based on typical mid‑April evenings in Pittsburgh, expect mid‑50s temperatures, light breeze, and neutral hitting conditions. (Inference — not sourced)
Injury Report
Washington Nationals
Ken Waldichuk — day‑to‑day (elbow)
Trevor Williams — 60‑Day IL (elbow)
Josiah Gray — 60‑Day IL (elbow)
DJ Herz — 60‑Day IL (elbow)
Pittsburgh Pirates
Jared Triolo — 10‑Day IL (knee)
Jared Jones — 60‑Day IL (elbow)
Team Records & Season Profile
Washington Nationals (7–8)
Road Record: 6–3
Runs per game: 6.0 (3rd in MLB)
Team AVG: .270
OBP: .342
SLG: .431
Home Runs: 16
Pitching ERA: 5.82 (29th in MLB)
WHIP: 1.60
Runs Allowed: 81 (29th)
Pittsburgh Pirates (9–6)
Home Record: 4–2
Home Runs: 16 (4th in NL)
Team AVG (last 10): .245
Team ERA (last 10): 2.96
Run Differential (last 10): +10
Recent Team Form
Nationals — Last 10
Record: 4–6
AVG: .266
ERA: 6.23
Run Differential: –10
Pirates — Last 10
Record: 7–3
AVG: .245
ERA: 2.96
Run Differential: +10
Pitching Matchup
Washington — Cade Cavalli (RHP)
Record: 0–0
ERA: 2.51
WHIP: 1.47
Strikeouts: 11
Pittsburgh — Paul Skenes (RHP)
Record: 2–1
ERA: 5.25
WHIP: 1.25
Strikeouts: 12
Pitching Edge: Slightly Washington — Cavalli has been more effective early, though Skenes has higher strikeout upside.
Key Player Matchups
1. Oneil Cruz (PIT) vs. Cade Cavalli
Cruz: .339 AVG, 5 HR, 3 doubles
Cruz’s power vs. Cavalli’s low‑ERA start is the matchup to watch.
2. C.J. Abrams (WSH) vs. Paul Skenes
Abrams: 13‑for‑36, 4 HR in last 10 games
Abrams’ hot streak challenges Skenes’ command.
3. James Wood (WSH) vs. Pirates Bullpen
Wood: 6 doubles, 5 HR, .274 AVG
Wood’s extra‑base power is a threat late in games.
Series History
First meeting of the 2026 season
Nationals enter with a 3‑game road win streak.
Betting Trends
Washington
6–3 on the road
0–3 in one‑run games
Bullpen save rate: 20% (1-for-5)
Pittsburgh
4–2 at home
16 HR (top‑4 in NL)
Strong pitching form (2.96 ERA last 10)
Game Odds
Washington Nationals 7.5
Pittsburgh Pirates – 226
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, April 12, 2026
