Washington Nationals vs Cincinnati Reds Prediction 5/12/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Nationals vs Reds Prediction for this MLB matchup on Tuesday, May 12th in the opening game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Cincinnati Reds Preview

The Cincinnati Reds have a 22-19 record this season and are sitting in the fifth place of the NL Central. They have a 12-9 home record and are coming off a 5-0 win at home against the Astros. They will face the Guardians and the Phillies next.

The Reds have a .219 batting average this season, .305 OBP and .381 Slugging percentage. Cincinnati’s pitching staff has a 4.52 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. Elly De La Cruz is the team’s best hitter with a .288 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 29. Sal Stewart adds a team‑high 10 home runs.

Brady Singer (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Reds, and he has a 2-2 record, 5.63 ERA and 1.64 WHIP.

Washington Nationals Preview

The Washington Nationals have a 19-22 record this season and are sitting in the fourth place of the NL East. They have a 13-9 away record and are coming off a 2-5 loss on the road against the Marlins. They will face the Orioles and the Mets next.

The Nationals have a .242 batting average this season, .323 OBP and .399 Slugging percentage. Washington’s pitching staff has a 4.82 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. CJ Abrams is the team’s best hitter with a .287 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 36. James Wood adds a team‑high 11 home runs.

Miles Mikolas (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Nationals, and he has a 1-3 record, 7.44 ERA and 1.53 WHIP.

Washington Nationals @ Cincinnati Reds Betting Trends: May 12, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Brady Singer      Record this season: 2-2      ERA: 5.63
• Home Record: 2-0
• Last 5 against Nationals: 0-1

Why the Cincinnati Reds will win

• The home team has won 10 of the Reds’ last 11 games.
• The Nationals have lost four of their last five games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Reds have covered the run line in six of their last seven night games against NL East opponents.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Nationals have lost the first inning in four of their last five night games at Great American Ball Park.
• The Reds have led after 3 innings in four of their last five night games against the Nationals at Great American Ball Park.
• The Reds have led after 5 innings in seven of their last eight night games at Great American Ball Park against NL East opponents.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Miles Mikolas      Record this season: 1-3      ERA: 7.44
• Road Record: 0-1
• Last 5 against Reds: 2-3

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The Nationals have won each of their last six games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents following a loss.
• The Reds have lost each of their last seven games against National League opponents.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last eight night games following a loss.
• The Reds have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games as favorites against NL East opponents.
• The Nationals have led after 3 innings in three of their last four road night games.
• The Nationals have led after 5 innings in four of their last five games.
• The Nationals have won the first inning in three of their last four night games against opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts

• Five of the Nationals’ last six games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Five of the Reds’ last six games as favorites against NL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Nationals’ last seven night games at Great American Ball Park.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the last nine night games between the Nationals and Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Ke’Bryan Hayes has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances in night games against NL East teams that held a losing record.
• Brady Singer has recorded a win in six of his last seven appearances with the Reds as favorites.
• Brady Singer has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last three home appearances against NL East opponents.
• Spencer Steer has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last 10 games against NL opponents.
• Elly De La Cruz ranks T10th in the league in Hits (47) this season.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• Keibert Ruiz has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances against the Reds after not playing the previous day.
• Miles Mikolas has recorded four or more strikeouts in six of his last seven road appearances against NL Central opponents.
• CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 18 road appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• Nasim Nunez ranks 1st in the league in Steals (17) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Reds rank 30th in the league for batting average this season (.219).
• The Reds are one of only two teams in the league to rank top 10 in both steals and home runs this season.
• The Nationals rank T2nd in the league for runs scored this season (217).
• The Nationals rank T29th in the league for home runs allowed this season (59).

Nationals vs Reds Prediction

The Nationals are 7-2 in their last 9 meetings against the Reds and are 2-1 in their last three visits in Cincinnati.

In this Nationals vs Reds Prediction, the Reds are coming as -139 home favorites. Both teams have been struggling lately, as they are 2-8 and 4-5 in their last 10 and 9 games respectively and both pitchers have been terrible with a combined 13.07 ERA. Washington has one of the best offenses in baseball this season and both teams’ pitching staff has been terrible with a combined 9.34 ERA and 1.40+ WHIP. Both bullpens have also been terrible so this shapes up as a high-scoring affair. Take the over 10 runs in this one.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Over 10