Nationals vs Reds Prediction 5/3/25 MLB Picks

Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Reds are 18-15 this season after they picked up the win in game one of this series. Cincinnati scored two runs in the first inning, and they scored the first five runs in the game for the easy win. The Reds recorded seven hits in the game, and they were led by Stephenson and Espinal, who both had six RBIs in the win. Cincinnati started Greene, who allowed two hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings for the win, while Barlow, Santillan, and Pagan threw three scoreless innings. 

Prior to this series, the Reds split four games with the Cardinals and won all three against the Rockies. Cincinnati has won seven of its last nine games, and they are currently second in the NL Central standings. The Cincinnati pitching staff has a 3.45 ERA with a 1.09 WHIP and a .204 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 169 runs with a .248 batting average and a .328 on-base percentage this season. Elly De La Cruz has led Cincinnati with five home runs and 24 RBIs, while Matt McLain has added four home runs and 12 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Cincinnati is Nick Lodolo, who is 3-2 with a 2.25 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP over 36.0 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Reds will beat the Nationals 

• The home team has won each of the last five games between the Nationals and Reds.
• The Nationals have lost 15 of their last 17 night games against National League opponents following a road loss.
• The Reds have covered the run line in each of their last six games against National League opponents after playing the previous day.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in three of their last four games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Reds have led after 5 innings in five of their last six night games at Great American Ball Park against National League opponents.
• The Nationals have trailed after 3 innings in six of their last seven games.

Total Runs Facts

• Seven of the Nationals' last eight road games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Five of the Reds' last six games as favorites have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in eight of the Reds' last nine games as favorites.
• The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in seven of the Nationals' last eight night games at Great American Ball Park.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Nick Lodolo has recorded six or more strikeouts in 10 of his 13 previous appearances in night games against NL teams that held a losing record.
• Tyler Stephenson has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last five appearances in night games against NL teams that held a losing record.
• Tyler Stephenson has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances in night games against NL teams that held a losing record.
• Tyler Stephenson has scored at least one run in each of his last eight appearances in night games against teams that held a losing record.
• TJ Friedl has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances against the Nationals at Great American Ball Park.
• Will Benson has recorded a Double in each of his last three appearances against the Nationals at Great American Ball Park.
• TJ Friedl has recorded a Single in each of the Reds' last four night games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• Josh Bell has hit at least one home run in each of his last two appearances at Great American Ball Park against NL opponents that held a winning record.
• Nathaniel Lowe has recorded at least one RBI in four of the Nationals' last five games against NL opponents.
• Trevor Williams has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last three appearances with the Nationals as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
• CJ Abrams has scored at least one run in nine of his last 12 road appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• CJ Abrams has recorded at least one Single in nine of his last 10 appearances in night games against NL teams that held a winning record.
• CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 appearances in night games against NL teams that held a winning record.
• Luis Garcia has recorded a Double in three of his last four appearances at Great American Ball Park against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• Trevor Williams has recorded a win in each of his last three appearances in night games against NL teams that held a winning record.

Nationals vs Reds Prediction 

Cincinnati cruises into this matchup playing some great baseball over the last two weeks, and they are 9-8 at home this year. The Reds have had some very strong pitching, and they will start Lodolo, who has allowed zero earned runs in three of his last five starts. On the other side, Washington is just 5-12 on the road, and their pitching staff has been a disaster. The Nats will start Williams, who has allowed 5+ earned runs in two of his last four starts. I think this Cincinnati offense is in for another big day, and I like them to win by at least two runs here.