April 13, 2026, 2:37 a.m. ET

The Washington Nationals (7-8) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (9-6) open a 4-game series Monday at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze MLB odds around the Nationals vs. Pirates odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting of 2026; Pirates won 4-3 in 2025

Washington won 8-6 as a +172 underdog in Milwaukee Sunday to complete a 3-game sweep, outscoring the Brewers 18-10. Six different Brewers drove in at least 1 run in the finale with C Keibert Ruiz plating 2 as the Over (7.5) cashed. RF James Wood finished 1 for 3 with a solo homer, his fifth HR of the season, while scoring 2 runs with 2 walks out of the leadoff spot. The Over went 2-1 in the sweep.

Pittsburgh missed a chance for a 3-game sweep at Wrigley Field Sunday, suffering 7-6 loss at the Chicago Cubs. The Pirates, who were +116 underdogs, led 5-0 after 2 innings and 6-2 after 4½, but the Cubs rallied with 1 run in the fifth, 1 in the seventh, 2 in the eighth and 1 in the ninth (a walk-off single), helping the Over (12.5) hit. The loss spoiled a great effort from 2B Brandon Lowe, who hit 2 homers with 5 RBIs. Meanwhile, CF Oneil Cruz (1 for 4) led off the game with a solo homer. Lowe and Cruz each have 5 home runs on the season.

Despite the loss, the Pirates have won 8 of the past 11 games, surging into first place in the NL Central Division during the early going. The Over is 4-1 in their past 5 games, and is 4-2 their 6 home games this season. The Bucs have won 4 of 6 games at home, too.

Watch MLB on Fubo!Nationals at Pirates projected starters

RHP Cade Cavalli vs. RHP Paul Skenes

Cavalli (0-0, 2.51 ERA) has made 3 starts in 2026. He has a 1.47 WHIP, allowing 12 hits and 9 walks in 14 1/3 innings, while striking out 11.

Last start: No-decision, 4 2/3 IP, 1 ER (2 R), 4 H, 4 BB, 3 K in 7-6 home loss in 10 innings vs. St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday2026 on road: 0-0, 2.79 ERA (9 2/3 IP, 3 ER), 1.34 WHIP, 5 BB, 8 K in 2 startsCareer Pirates: 1 start, no-decision, 5 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 2 K in 4-3 home win Sept. 14, 2025

Skenes (2-1, 5.25 ERA) will also make his fourth start of 2026. He has a 1.25 WHIP, allowing 9 hits and 6 walks with 12 K’s in 12 innings.

Last start: Win, 6 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 2 H (1 solo HR), 2 BB, 6 K in 7-1 victory vs. San Diego Padres Tuesday in first home outing of 2026Career vs. Nationals: 1 start, win, 6 IP, 1 ER (2 R), 3 H, 0 BB, 6 K in 10-3 home victory April 14, 2025Nationals at Pirates odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:36 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Nationals +185 (bet $100 to $185) | Pirates -225 (bet $225 to win $100)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Nationals +1.5 (-120) | Pirates -1.5 (+100)Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: -120 | U: +100)

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Nationals at Pirates picks and predictionsPrediction

Pirates 5, Nationals 4

Pittsburgh (-225) will cost 2.25 times the potential return. That’s way too expensive either as a straight-up play, or as part of a multi-leg parlay.

The Pirates have their best pitcher Skenes untracked after a terrible Opening Day outing. He rebounded to win his next 2 starts, pitching to expectations. However, Cavalli has also pitched well for Washington (+185), and he should give the Nats a good chance to hang around in this potential pitcher’s duel.

PASS.

The NATIONALS +1.5 (-120) aren’t priced out of line if you’d like a little bit of insurance with the run and a half. Washington is 10-5 on the run line as an underdog so far this season, including 7 outright victories.

Pittsburgh, on the other hand, is 3-2 on the run line as a favorite and 2-2 ATS in the past 4 home games.

OVER 7 (-120) is a low number, but don’t get too carried away. We have a possible pitcher’s duel with Cavalli and Skenes. However, the Over has cashed in all 3 of Skenes’ starts so far, however.

The Over is also 8-2 in the past 10 games for the Nationals. Plus, the Over has hit in each of Cavalli’s 3 starts.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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