Reds vs. Nationals: Pitching preview, prediction, and more

The Reds visit the nation’s capital with their season on the brink.

It was the week that wasn’t for the Cincinnati Reds. Following a 5-4 road trip, the Reds (20-25) returned to Great American Ball Park and managed to drop six of seven to the San Francisco Giants and Milwaukee Brewers.

As a result of the disastrous homestand, the Redlegs find themselves a season-worst five games under .500 and 5 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central. After starting the 2021 campaign 6-1, Cincinnati is a brutal 14-24 since their sizzling start.

No aspect of the Reds game (pitching, hitting, or defense) is absent of blame, but the pitching staff is going through a tough period. Redleg hurlers have allowed at least four runs in 11 consecutive games and 12 of their last 13 contests. Additionally, Cincinnati has surrendered at least six runs in seven contests over the 13-game stretch.

One team feeling much better about themselves is the Washington Nationals (20-23) after a three-game sweep of the neighboring Baltimore Orioles. Even though the Nats occupy the basement of the National League East, they have been victorious in six for their last 10 games.

Unfortunately, the Nationals are historically the last team the Reds want to see in the opposing dugout. Since 2012, their .358 winning percentage against Washington is their worst versus any National League opponent.

As far as Nationals Park is concerned, it’s been a house of horrors for the Redlegs. Cincinnati has not won a series in DC since 2015, and in their last four trips to Washington, they’ve managed to be victorious just three times in 14 games. The Nationals have dropped only one season series to the Reds over the past decade.