The Washington Nationals (6-9) are heading to Pennsylvania to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (5-11)
What a roller coaster for the Washington Nationals in the past week. After two back-to-back series wins against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers, the tide looked to have turned for Washington, showing signs of success after a slow start to the year.
The excitement has died down for now after a series loss against division rival Miami Marlins, after surrendering 25 runs in just three games. However, a four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, currently in last place in the National League Central, is a bounce-back opportunity for Washington.
JAMES WOOD ON AND OPPO POPPIN’ pic.twitter.com/fN9k3ges0w
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 12, 2025
The Pittsburgh Pirates have gotten off to a rough start to the 2025 season, currently sitting with one of the worst records in the MLB. Coming off a series dominated by the Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh is just trying to stay afloat. With a solid rotation, they will try and take advantage of a stretch of poor performances from Washington’s pitching staff.
Washington is entering this four-game series with a 6-9 record, sitting in fourth place in the National League East, just ahead of the Atlanta Braves.
Pittsburgh comes into this series with a 5-11 record, falling to fifth place in the National League Central.
Here is a preview for both teams heading into this four-game series.
PROJECTED STARTERS
GAME ONE:
WASHINGTON: RHP Brad Lord (0-0)
2025 Stats:
- 4 G (1 GS)
- 1.80 ERA
- 1.80 WHIP
- 4 SO
Brad Lord started the 2025 season as a reliever, but things have changed. The rookie received his first start last week against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing only two hits and no runs in three innings.
PITTSBURGH: RHP Paul Skenes (1-1)
2025 Stats:
- 3 GS
- 3.44 ERA
- 0.82 WHIP
- 20 SO
The 2024 National League Rookie-of-the-Year has been great to start off the 2025 season. The Cy Young hopeful has been a key bright spot for Pittsburgh and will look to continue his rise to stardom. Skenes struggled in his last start, allowing six hits and five earned runs in six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.
GAME TWO:
WASHINGTON: RHP Jake Irvin (0-0)
2025 Stats:
- 3 GS
- 5.63 ERA
- 1.50 WHIP
- 12 SO
In 2024, Jake Irvin proved to be a key innings-eater for Washington. Irvin has struggled to start the season, allowing four hits, and four earned runs in his last start against the Miami Marlins.
PITTSBURGH: RHP Mitch Keller (1-1)
2025 Stats
- 3 GS
- 4.24 ERA
- 1.35 WHIP
- 14 SO
The former All-Star has been a key contributor for Pittsburgh for the past few years and has started 2025 on the same trajectory. Keller dominated in his last start, surrendering four hits and no runs, resulting in a Pittsburgh win.
GAME THREE:
WASHINGTON: LHP Mitchell Parker (2-0)
2025 Stats:
- 3 GS
- 1.96 ERA
- 1.20 WHIP
- 10 SO
Entering 2025 as a question mark, Parker has impressed early in the season, contributing as one of the best arms for Washington. In his last start, he produced a quality start, allowing five hits and three earned runs in six innings of work.
PITTSBURGH: LHP Bailey Falter (0-2)
2025 Stats:
- 3 GS
- 7.20 ERA
- 1.53 WHIP
- 13 SO
In 2024, Falter started the most games in his career, suiting up for twenty-eight starts. In 2025, Falter is still providing innings but is off to a tough start. In his last start, Falter put up a quality start, going five innings and allowing three hits and three earned runs.
GAME FOUR:
WASHINGTON: RHP Trevor Williams (1-1)
2025 Stats:
- 3 GS
- 7.36 ERA
- 1.77 WHIP
- 11 SO
Even in a small sample size, Williams pitched spectacularly in 2024, posting a sub-3.00 ERA before his season was cut short due to injury. Williams’s last start was arguably the worst of his season, giving up six earned runs on twelve hits against the Miami Marlins.
PITTSBURGH: LHP Andrew Heaney (0-1)
2025 Stats:
- 3 GS
- 3.00 ERA
- 0.89 WHIP
- 18 SO
Entering 2025, 33-year-old Heaney has struggled to find a long-term home but has been consistently solid wherever he has landed. Heaney struggled in his last start, giving up four of his season total of six earned runs against the Cincinnati Reds.
As an observer, it is confusing sometimes whether to panic or relax about your team just three weeks into the season. Washington has been confusing, performing well and beating some of the best teams in baseball, and then faltering to other teams that are projected to miss the postseason.
This is an important series early in the season, as it is time to prove what Washington Nationals baseball will be in 2025.