In this article, we will formulate a Nationals vs Padres prediction for this MLB game on Monday, June 23, at PETCO Park in San Diego, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

The Washington Nationals (32-46, 16-22 Away) have now lost six consecutive series after falling to the Cubs, Rangers, Mets, Marlins, Rockies, and Dodgers. After being swept by the Mets and Marlins, the Nats at least managed to get one win in the series against Colorado and Los Angeles. In a rubber match against the Dodgers on Sunday, Washington lost 13-7 even though the Nationals kept the Dodgers off the scoreboard in the opening five innings. Nathaniel Lowe led the offense with four RBI, while Mike Soroka pitched for 5.1 innings in a no-decision, allowing three runs on two hits with ten strikeouts and two walks. Jose Ferrer took the loss.

This year, the Nationals average 4.22 runs per game (19th in the MLB) on a .241/.308/.391 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Nationals’ staff has a 4.99 ERA (28th) and 1.38 WHIP (24th). James Wood leads the Nationals with a .279 batting average, 21 home runs, and 57 RBI this season.

The projected starting pitcher for the Nationals is Mitchell Parker, who is 4-8 in 15 starts this season, with a 4.59 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 80.1 innings.

San Diego Padres Betting Preview

The San Diego Padres (42-35, 23-13 Home) lost three series in a row to the Dodgers, Diamondbacks, and Dodgers again, but managed to avoid the fourth straight series loss with a win over the Kansas City Royals. The Padres opened that series with a defeat, but responded with 5-1 and 3-2 victories, respectively. In the latest one, Jose Iglesias, who entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Jake Cronenworth in the 7th inning, drove in all three runs for the offense, while Randy Vasquez pitched for 7.0 innings in a no-decision, allowing two runs on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Robert Suarez was credited with the win.

This season, the Padres average 4.22 runs per game (18th in the MLB) on a .249/.316/.379 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Padres’ staff has a 3.58 ERA (8th) and 1.22 WHIP (10th). Manny Machado leads the Padres with a .305 batting average, 12 home runs, and 46 RBI this season.

Stephen Kolek will take the mound for the Padres on Monday. The 28-year-old right-hander has a 3-2 record in nine starts this year with a 3.59 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 52.2 innings.

Total Runs Facts

Five of the last six games between the Nationals and Padres at Petco Park have gone OVER the total runs line.
Three of the Nationals’ last four games as underdogs have gone OVER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 10 of the Padres’ last 11 night games against NL East opponents.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in four of the Nationals’ last five games against National League opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

The Padres rank 4th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.227).
The Padres rank 4th in the league for hits allowed this season (575).
The Nationals rank 4th in the league for strikeouts against this season (577).
The Nationals rank 27th in the league for hits allowed this season (693).

Nationals vs Padres Prediction

The Padres won seven of the previous ten H2H encounters, including the last six. Six of the last nine H2Hs went Over, and I am going with another Over in this one. Mitchell Parker allowed 3+ runs in eight of his last ten starts, while he allowed a .429 BA in 21 at-bats against the Padres. I am sure San Diego will trouble him in the early innings and score multiple runs. Stephen Kolek, on the other hand, is in a better form lately, but he did allow seven earned runs in his previous two starts, so the Nationals, who are working on their comeback from a bad stretch of results, will have a chance to get to him. Back the Over.

Oliver Zivic's Pick: Over 7.5