| MATCHUP | Minnesota Twins | Washington Nationals |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 16-21 | 17-20 |
| Spread | -1.5 145 | +1.5 -176 |
| Moneyline | -102 | -118 |
| Total | Over 9 (-115) | Under 9 (-105) |
| Where | Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia | |
| When | Thursday, May 7, 2026 | |
| Time | 01:05 PM EDT | |
| TV | MLB.TV | |
Washington Nationals Preview
The Washington Nationals have a 17-20 record this season and are sitting in the third place of the NL East. They have a 5-13 home record and are coming off a 15-2 win at home against the Twins. They will face the Marlins and the Reds next.
The Nationals have a .241 batting average this season, .321 OBP and .395 Slugging percentage. Washington’s pitching staff has a 4.82 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. CJ Abrams is the team’s best hitter with a .299 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 33. James Wood adds a team‑high 10 home runs.
Jake Irvin (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Nationals, and he has a 1-4 record, 4.93 ERA and 1.30 WHIP.
Minnesota Twins Preview
The Minnesota Twins have a 16-21 record this season and are sitting in the fifth place of the AL Central. They have a 6-11 away record and are coming off a 2-15 loss on the road against the Nationals. They will face the Guardians and the Marlins next.
The Twins have a .233 batting average this season, .323 OBP and .380 Slugging percentage. Minnesota’s pitching staff has a 4.72 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. Brooks Lee is the team’s best hitter with a .261 batting average. Ryan Jeffers leads the team in RBI with 21, and Byron Buxton adds a team‑high 11 home runs.
Simeon Woods Richardson (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Twins, and he has a 0-5 record, 6.49 ERA and 1.76 WHIP.
Minnesota Twins @ Washington Nationals Betting Trends: May 7, 2026
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Jake Irvin Record this season: 1-4 ERA: 4.93
- Home Record: 0-3
- Last 5 against Twins: 1-1
Why the Washington Nationals will win
- The Twins have lost each of their last six road games after playing the previous day.
- The Nationals have won eight of their last nine day games against AL Central opponents following a home win.
- The Nationals have covered the run line each of their last six day games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Twins have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five road games after playing the previous day.
- The Nationals have won the first inning in each of their last four games as favorites against the Twins at Nationals Park.
- The Twins have trailed after 3 innings in five of their last six games as road underdogs.
- The Twins have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last six games as road underdogs.
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Simeon Woods-Richardson Record this season: 0-5 ERA: 6.49
- Road Record: 0-3
- Last 5 against Nationals: 0-0
Why the Minnesota Twins will win
- The Nationals have lost each of their last 10 home games following a win.
- The Twins have won six of their last seven games as underdogs against National League opponents following a loss.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 10 home games following a win.
- The Twins have covered the run line in six of their last seven games as underdogs against National League opponents following a loss.
- The Nationals have trailed after 3 innings in eight of their last nine home games against American League opponents.
- The Nationals have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last 11 day games at Nationals Park against American League opponents.
- The Nationals have lost the first inning in three of their last four games as favorites.
Total Runs Facts
- Eleven of the Nationals’ last 12 home games against AL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Six of the Twins’ last seven games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Twins’ last eight Thursday games against NL East opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of Jake Irvin’s last seven appearances as a starter.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- CJ Abrams has hit a home run in two of the Nationals’ last three games against the Twins.
- Jacob Young has recorded at least one hit in each of the Nationals’ last six day games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Nasim Nunez ranks T1st in the league in Steals (14) this season.
Minnesota Twins Player Prop Facts
- Byron Buxton has hit a home run in three of the Twins’ last four games as underdogs.
- Victor Caratini has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 Thursday appearances with his team as an underdog.
- Byron Buxton ranks T6th in the league in Home Runs (11) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nationals rank 30th in the league for home runs allowed this season (54).
- The Nationals rank 29th in the league for runs allowed this season (210).
- The Twins rank 28th in the league for doubles this season (49).
- The Twins rank 27th in the league for runs allowed this season (188).
Twins vs Nationals Prediction
The Nationals are 3-1 in their last 4 meetings against the Twins, but the Twins are 3-1 in their last 4 visits in Washington.
In this Twins vs Nationals Prediction, both teams are coming at a pickem price. Both teams have split wins in this series and I don’t trust either pitching in today’s matchup, as they both have a combined 11.42 ERA. They both have a combined 1-9 record this season and Irvin has been terrible at home and both teams are bottom-8 in bullpen ERA and average 10.2 runs/9 against right-handed pitching combined. This sets up for a high-scoring affair, so take the over 9 in this one.