| MATCHUP | Washington Nationals | Cincinnati Reds |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 21-22 | 22-21 |
| Spread | +1.5 -150 | -1.5 125 |
| Moneyline | +130 | -157 |
| Total | Over 8 (-113) | Under 8 (-106) |
| Where | Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio | |
| When | Thursday, May 14, 2026 | |
| Time | 12:40 PM EDT | |
| TV | MLB.TV | |
In this article, we will formulate a Nationals vs Reds Prediction for this MLB matchup on Thursday, May 14th in the third game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Cincinnati Reds Preview
The Cincinnati Reds have a 22-21 record this season and are sitting in the fifth place of the NL Central. They have a 12-11 home record and are coming off a 7-8 loss at home against the Nationals. They will face the Guardians and the Phillies next.
The Reds have a .220 batting average this season, .306 OBP and .379 Slugging percentage. Cincinnati’s pitching staff has a 4.69 ERA and 1.48 WHIP. Elly De La Cruz is the team’s best hitter with a .295 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 29. Sal Stewart adds a team‑high 10 home runs.
Chase Burns (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Reds, and he has a 4-1 record, 2.11 ERA and 1.04 WHIP.
Washington Nationals Preview
The Washington Nationals have a 21-22 record this season and are sitting in the second place of the NL East. They have a 15-9 away record and are coming off an 8-7 win on the road against the Reds. They will face the Orioles and the Mets next.
The Nationals have a .245 batting average this season, .325 OBP and .413 Slugging percentage. Washington’s pitching staff has a 4.77 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. CJ Abrams is the team’s best hitter with a .296 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 36. James Wood adds a team‑high 12 home runs.
Foster Griffin (L) is the projected starting pitcher for the Nationals, and he has a 4-1 record, 2.12 ERA and 1.03 WHIP.
Washington Nationals @ Cincinnati Reds Betting Trends: May 14, 2026
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Chase Burns Record this season: 4-1 ERA: 2.11
- Home Record: 3-1
- Last 5 against Nationals: 0-1
Why the Cincinnati Reds will win
- The Reds have won 15 of their last 16 day games following a home loss.
- The Nationals have lost 15 of their last 19 games after going to extra innings.
- The Reds have covered the run line in each of their last four day games following a home loss.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games against National League opponents after going to extra innings.
- The Reds have led after 5 innings in each of their last four home day games.
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Foster Griffin Record this season: 4-1 ERA: 2.12
- Road Record: 3-0
- Last 5 against Reds: –
Why the Washington Nationals will win
- The Reds have lost each of their last nine games against National League opponents.
- The Nationals have won five of their last six games as underdogs against the Reds.
- The Reds have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 11 games as favorites against the Nationals following a home loss.
- The Nationals have covered the run line in nine of their last 10 road games after playing the previous day.
- The Reds have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three day games against NL East opponents.
- The Reds have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five games against NL East opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Reds’ last six home games after going to extra innings have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Four of the Nationals’ last five games after going to extra innings have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last six day games between the Nationals and Reds.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Nationals’ last four day games at Great American Ball Park.
Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts
- Spencer Steer has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last 12 games against NL opponents.
- Tyler Stephenson has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances against the Nationals after playing the previous day.
- Elly De La Cruz ranks T4th in the league in Hits (51) this season.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- Luis Garcia has hit at least one home run in two of the Nationals’ last three road games against the Reds.
- CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 20 road appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- Nasim Nunez ranks 2nd in the league in Steals (17) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Reds rank 30th in the league for batting average this season (.220).
- The Reds rank T28th in the league for hits this season (315).
- The Nationals rank T1st in the league for doubles this season (81).
- The Nationals rank 2nd in the league for runs scored this season (235).
Nationals vs Reds Prediction
The Nationals are 9-2 in their last 11 meetings against the Reds and are 4-1 in their last 5 visits in Cincinnati.
In this Nationals vs Reds Prediction, the Reds are coming as -160 home favorites. The Reds have lost both games in this series with 18 earned runs in total and are 2-8 in their last 10 games. Things will not get any better as they are facing Foster Griffin who has just one earned run across his last three starts and the Reds have been terrible against lefties, ranking dead last against southpaws in the month of May. The value here lies once again with the road dog, so take the Nationals once again for plus money in this one.