Washington Nationals vs Colorado Rockies Game 1 Pick – 4/20/2025

Washington Nationals vs Colorado Rockies Game 1 Preview

As the Colorado Rockies prepare to host the Washington Nationals on April 20, 2025 in the first game of their doubleheader, both teams find themselves struggling early in the season. The Rockies sit at 3-16, while the Nationals are slightly better at 8-12. Last night, the Nationals edged out the Rockies in a close matchup, continuing to highlight the challenges faced by Colorado this season.

On the mound, the Rockies will send Kyle Freeland to the hill, who is projected to pitch 5.5 innings with an average of 3.2 earned runs allowed. Freeland has had a rough start, holding a Win/Loss record of 0-3 and an ERA of 4.88, indicating he has been unlucky thus far. His xFIP of 2.91 suggests that he could perform better moving forward, but facing a Nationals lineup that ranks 22nd in offensive production presents its own challenges.

Jake Irvin, on the other hand, will take the mound for Washington. Irvin boasts a solid ERA of 3.91, but his xERA of 5.86 indicates he may not be able to sustain this level of performance. The Rockies' offense has been particularly lackluster, ranking 26th overall and 29th in home runs. This matchup could favor Irvin, especially given that the Rockies have the highest strikeout rate in MLB.

The Rockies' bullpen ranks 13th, which is an average showing compared to the Nationals' 27th-ranked unit, suggesting that if the game remains close, Colorado may have the advantage late in the game. With a game total set at a high 10.0 runs, this matchup promises scoring opportunities, but the Rockies will need their bats to wake up if they hope to turn their season around.

Washington Nationals vs Colorado Rockies Game 1 Prediction

Predicted Final Score: Washington Nationals 5.75, Colorado Rockies 4.88

• Date: April 20, 2025
• Venue: Coors Field
• Starting Pitchers:
  • Jake Irvin - Nationals
  • Kyle Freeland - Rockies

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