Nationals vs Guardians Prediction 5/26/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Nationals vs Guardians prediction for this MLB game on Tuesday, May 26th at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

The Washington Nationals are 28-27 this year after they won game one by a score of 10-2 on Monday. Washington scored six runs in the first two innings and never looked back in the blowout victory. The Nationals recorded 15 hits in the game and they were led by Garcia Jr, who went 3-5 with one home run and four RBIs. Poulin opened the game for two innings, while Littell allowed five hits and one earned run over 7.0 innings for the win. Prior to this series, Washington won two out of three against the Braves and split four games with the Mets. 

This season, Washington has a 4.75 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP and a .254 opponent batting average, while they have scored 298 runs with a .245 batting average and a .324 on base percentage. CJ Abrams has led the Nationals with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs, while James Wood has added 14 home runs and 35 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Cade Cavalli, who is 2-3 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP over 53.2 innings pitched this year. 

Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview

The Cleveland Guardians are 32-24 this season after they lost game one by a score of 10-2 last night. Cleveland cut the deficit to 7-2 in the fourth inning, but couldn’t get any closer in the loss. The Guardians recorded seven hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Hoskins, who went 1-4 with one home run and one RBI. Bibee allowed eight hits and seven earned runs over 3.0 innings for the loss, while Festa allowed one earned run in relief. Prior to this series, Cleveland won two out of three against the Phillies and all four against the Tigers. 

This season, Cleveland has a 3.63 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and a .234 opponent batting average, while they have scored 234 runs with a .228 batting average and a .320 on base percentage. Chase DeLauter has led the Guardians with seven home runs and 30 RBIs, while Jose Ramirez has added eight home runs and 24 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Cleveland is Joey Cantillo, who is 4-1 with a 3.05 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP over 56.0 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Cleveland Guardians will win

• The Guardians have won 10 of their last 11 night games against National League opponents following a loss.
• The Nationals have lost each of their last seven Tuesday night games against American League opponents.
• The Guardians have covered the run line in nine of their last 10 games against National League opponents following a loss.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven Tuesday night games against American League opponents.
• The Guardians have led after 3 innings in three of their last four home games against opponents that held a winning record.

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The Guardians have lost five of their last six games as home favorites against NL East opponents.
• The Nationals have won each of their last three games as underdogs.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last seven games as underdogs.
• The Guardians have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games as home favorites against NL East opponents.
• The Nationals have led after 5 innings in four of their last five games against the Guardians.

Total Runs Facts

• Seven of the Nationals’ last eight night games against AL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Each of the last four games between the Nationals and Guardians have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the Guardians’ last seven games.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in four of the Nationals’ last five road games.

Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts

• Jose Ramirez has recorded two or more hits in each of the Guardians’ last three night games against NL opponents that held a winning record.
• Rhys Hoskins has hit a home run in each of his last two home appearances against NL East opponents.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• CJ Abrams has hit a home run in each of the Nationals’ last three night games.
• CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in each of the Nationals’ last five games against AL Central opponents that held a winning record.

Nationals vs Guardians Prediction

Washington was able to dominate game one in this series for the win and they have won three games in a row. The Nationals are 18-11 on the road this year, while the Guardians are 15-11 at home. Cleveland has won five of their last seven games, but they have scored two runs or fewer in three of their last four. The Guardians are starting Cantillo, who has allowed one earned run or fewer in three of his last four starts, while Cavalli has allowed three earned runs or fewer in five straight outings. I like how Cantillo has looked recently, so I will back the Guardians at home.

David Racey's Pick: Guardians ML