4% Rotation #955: MLB Thursday 4% OVER 8.5 in Pittsburgh Pirates vs Washington Nationals @ 6:40 ET - The Pirates just got no-hit at Chicago by Imanaga and the Cubs last night. Now back home and ready to make up for that in a big way, look for Pittsburgh to get their bats going again immediately. Facing the Nationals Jake Irvin certainly shoul help in that regard. Irvin is coming off an August in which he went 1-3 with a 6.61 ERA in his 6 starts and, incredibly, allowed 9 homers in his last 5 starts! The Pirates, prior to last night's 12-0 loss, had gone 6-6 last 12 games and averaged a respectable 5.3 runs scored per game in these dozen games. I am also looking for the Nationals to score well in this one as they, like the Pirates hitters, take advantage of facing a struggling hurler. The Nats will be facing Bailey Falter and the Pirates southpaw has been hit at a .355 clip over his last 7 starts and also has allowed 4 or more earned runs in 3 of his last 4 starts! Falter is set to “falter” once again here the way I see it! The Nationals have averaged 4 runs scored per game last 6 road games and also have scored at least 4 runs in all 3 games with the Pirates so far this season. Of course getting each team to 4 runs here would guarantee us of nothing less than a 5-4 final and a winning ticket on this over. Given the way these two starting pitchers are going, I like our chances! Also, the Nationals bullpen ERA is 22nd and the Pirates is 27th this season in the majors. That is another reason my MLB pick here is, as per usual, action on the starting pitchers! 4% OVER 8.5 in Pittsburgh