Monday MLB preview: Nationals at Pirates, Angels at Rangers

MLB free play: Nationals -0.5 runs first five innings (+115)

The Pirates have been in free fall since the All-Star break (7-27) and are set to greet yet another National League wild-card contender in the Nationals on Monday night at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh starter Trevor Williams (5-5, 5.25 ERA) has been dreadful in his last nine efforts, where he has produced a 7.28 ERA and 1.700 WHIP (50 innings). He'll have to pitch carefully to a surging Washington offense that has plated at least six runs in seven of its last nine contests. Right fielder Adam Eaton (1.389 OPS last seven games) and third baseman Anthony Rendon (.970 OPS last seven games) have been at the forefront of the Nationals' attack.

Joe Ross (3-3, 5.91 ERA) was rocked in his first three starts of 2019 but has settled down nicely in August. He has allowed just one earned run in his last 18 innings of work. His WHIP in that span is 1.000. Ross faces a slumping Pirates offense that is 23rd in team batting average this month.

As usual, bettors would be wise to stay away from Washington's 29th-ranked bullpen and wager on the Nats in the first five innings market.

Los Angeles Angels (62-64) at Texas Rangers (60-64), 8:05 p.m. ET

MLB free play: Under

Two lackluster offenses will meet at Globe Life Park on Monday night, and the young southpaws on the mound should keep their opposition in check.

Dillon Peters (3-1, 3.38 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Angels, and he owns a 3.14 ERA over his last five outings. He's been prone to the home run ball this year, with seven allowed over 37 1/3 innings of work, but the Rangers are just 19th in home runs hit this month. Texas is also 28th in team batting average in August.

Kolby Allard (1-0, 4.50 ERA) counters for the home team and he's been effective in his first two major league starts, on the road against Milwaukee and Toronto. The California native will face an L.A. lineup that is 27th in team batting average this month.