| MATCHUP | Washington Nationals | Cleveland Guardians |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 27-27 | 32-23 |
| Spread | +1.5 -144 | -1.5 119 |
| Moneyline | +148 | -180 |
| Total | Over 8 (-114) | Under 8 (-106) |
| Where | Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio | |
| When | Monday, May 25, 2026 | |
| Time | 06:10 PM EDT | |
| TV | MLB.TV | |
Cleveland Guardians Preview
The Cleveland Guardians have a 32-23 record this season and are sitting in the first place of the AL Central. They have a 15-10 home record and are coming off a 3-1 road win against the Phillies. They will face the Red Sox and the Yankees next.
The Guardians have a .228 batting average this season, .320 OBP and .373 Slugging percentage. Cleveland’s pitching staff has a 3.55 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. Brayan Rocchio is the team’s best hitter with a .286 batting average. Chase DeLauter leads the team in RBI with 30, while Angel Martinez adds a team-high 9 home runs.
Tanner Bibee (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Guardians, and he has a 0-6 record, 3.75 ERA and 1.25 WHIP.
Washington Nationals Preview
The Washington Nationals have a 27-27 record this season and are sitting in the second place of the NL East. They have a 17-11 away record and are coming off a 2-1 road win against the Braves. They will face the Padres and the Marlins next.
The Nationals have a .243 batting average this season, .322 OBP and .413 Slugging percentage. Washington’s pitching staff has a 4.80 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. CJ Abrams is the team’s best hitter with a .289 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 45. James Wood adds a team-high 13 home runs.
Zack Littell (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Nationals, and he has a 3-4 record, 5.83 ERA and 1.45 WHIP.
Washington Nationals @ Cleveland Guardians Betting Trends: May 25, 2026
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Tanner Bibee Record this season: 0-6 ERA: 3.75
- Home Record: 0-3
- Last 5 against Nationals: 1-0
Why the Cleveland Guardians will win
- The Guardians have won each of their last seven night games after playing the previous day.
- The Nationals have lost each of their last five games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line each of their last five games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Guardians have covered the run line in seven of their last eight home games following a road win.
- The Nationals have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Nationals have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last six games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Nationals have lost the first inning in four of their last five games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Zack Littell Record this season: 3-4 ERA: 5.83
- Road Record: 0-2
- Last 5 against Guardians: 1-0
Why the Washington Nationals will win
- The Guardians have lost eight of their last 10 games as favorites against National League opponents following a road win.
- The Nationals have won three of their last four games as underdogs against AL Central opponents.
- The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last six games.
- The Guardians have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight home games against NL East opponents.
- The Guardians have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four night games at Progressive Field against National League opponents.
- The Nationals have led after 3 innings in three of their last four games against the Guardians.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Guardians’ last six games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Each of the Nationals’ last four night games as underdogs have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Guardians’ last six games.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Nationals’ last four games.
Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts
- Steven Kwan has recorded two or more hits in each of the Guardians’ last four games as favorites against NL East opponents.
- Rhys Hoskins has hit a home run in six of his last eight home appearances against the Nationals after playing the previous day.
- Jose Ramirez ranks 2nd in the league in Steals (20) this season.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- Jacob Young has hit a home run in each of the Nationals’ last two games against AL opponents.
- CJ Abrams has recorded two hits in each of the Nationals’ last three night games against opponents that held a winning record.
- Nasim Nunez ranks 1st in the league in Steals (22) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Guardians rank 1st in the league for strikeouts this season (515).
- The Guardians rank T2nd in the league for steals this season (54).
- The Nationals rank 1st in the league for runs scored this season (288).
- The Nationals rank 1st in the league for doubles this season (105).
Nationals vs Guardians Prediction
The Guardians are 4-2 in their last 6 meetings against the Nationals but are 1-2 in their last three visits in Washington.
In this Nationals vs Guardians Prediction, the Guardians are coming as -180 home favorites. The Guardians have been red-hot lately with an 8-1 record in their last 9 games and are facing a Nationals team that won a series against the Braves with back-to-back wins and are major candidates for a letdown in this spot. The Guardians have both the pitching edge as Bibee goes up against a struggling Zack Littell, and a superior bullpen, so pick them to take care of business at home.