Nationals vs Reds Prediction 5/13/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Nationals vs Reds prediction for this MLB game on Wednesday, May 13th at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

The Washington Nationals are 20-22 this year after they won game one by a score of 10-4 on Tuesday night. Washington scored the first three runs in the game and they piled on with four in the fifth inning to extend the lead. The Nationals recorded 13 hits and they committed two errors, while they were led by Lile, who went 3-5 with two home runs and four RBIs in the game. Mikolas allowed three hits and one earned run over 3.1 innings, while Lord got the win in relief. Prior to this series, Washington lost two out of three against the Marlins, but did win two out of three against the Twins before that. 

This season, Washington has a 4.77 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP and a .255 opponent batting average, while they have scored 227 runs with a .244 batting average and a .325 on base percentage. CJ Abrams has led the Nationals with nine home runs and 36 RBIs, while James Wood has added 12 home runs and 29 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Jake Irvin, who is 1-4 with a 5.22 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP over 39.2 innings pitched this year. 

Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Reds are 22-20 this season after they lost game one by a score of 10-4 last night. Cincinnati cut the deficit to 3-2 in the fourth inning, but their bullpen fell apart in the lopsided loss. The Reds recorded 10 hits in the game and they were led by Bleday, who went 2-3 with two RBIs. Singer allowed six hits and three earned runs over 3.2 innings for the loss, while Moll allowed three earned runs in relief. Prior to this series, Cincinnati won two out of three against the Astros, but lost all four against the Cubs before that. 

This season, Cincinnati has a 4.65 ERA with a 1.48 WHIP and a .253 opponent batting average, while they have scored 168 runs with a .220 batting average and a .305 on base percentage. Sal Stewart has led the Reds with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs, while Elly De La Cruz has added 10 home runs and 29 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Cincinnati is Nick Lodolo, who is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP over 5.1 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Cincinnati Reds will win

• The Reds have won nine of their last 10 games following a home loss.
• The Nationals have lost seven of their last eight night games against National League opponents following a win.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight night games against National League opponents following a win.
• The Reds have covered the run line in each of their last four night games against National League opponents following a loss.

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The Reds have lost each of their last six night games against National League opponents.
• The Nationals have won nine of their last 12 games as road underdogs against the Reds.
• The Reds have failed to cover the run line in each of their last nine games against the Nationals following a home loss.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in eight of their last nine games as road underdogs after playing the previous day.
• The Nationals have led after 3 innings in each of their last three road night games.
• The Reds have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last three games against National League opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Reds’ last four games as favorites against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Three of the Nationals’ last four games as underdogs against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Nationals’ last eight night games against National League opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Reds’ last four home games.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Elly De La Cruz has hit a home run in four of the Reds’ last eight night games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Nick Lodolo has recorded a win in four of his last five appearances with the Reds as favorites against NL opponents.
• Nick Lodolo has recorded seven or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• Tyler Stephenson has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 Wednesday appearances against teams that held a losing record.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in 20 of his last 21 road appearances against NL Central opponents.
• Luis Garcia has hit at least one home run in each of the Nationals’ last two games at Great American Ball Park.
• James Wood ranks T8th in the league in Home Runs (12) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Reds are one of only three teams in the league to rank top 10 in both steals and home runs this season.
• The Reds rank 28th in the league for walks allowed this season (195).
• The Nationals rank T29th in the league for home runs allowed this season (59).
• The Nationals rank 29th in the league for runs allowed this season (234).

Nationals vs Reds Prediction 

Washington was able to get the blowout win on Tuesday to start this series, as they continue to have one of the highest scoring offenses in the MLB. The Nationals are 14-9 on the road this year, while the Reds are 12-10 at home. Cincinnati has lost three of their last five games and they have allowed 8+ runs in all three of those losses. The Reds are starting Lodolo, who allowed four earned runs and five hits in his first start, while Irvin has allowed seven earned runs and 14 hits in his last 10.0 innings. Take the over here.

David Racey's Pick: Over 9.5