Cincinnati Reds vs. Washington Nationals Prediction 8-6-23 MLB Picks
The Washington Nationals and the Cincinnati Reds meet in the finale of their three-game series from Great American Ballpark on Sunday. Can the Nationals pull off another rare sweep? Or will the Reds salvage a much-needed win from this series? Let’s dive in and find out.
Nationals Pull Off Another Underdog Win
The Washington Nationals surprised a lot of folks once again on Saturday, pulling off back-to-back wins over the Reds with a 7-3 butt kicking of Cincinnati. The win brought the Nationals to 48-63 on the year, sitting 10 games back of the final Wild Card spot in the National League and 4.5 games clear of the Rockies for the worst record in the NL. Lane Thomas leads the Nationals across the board with 126 hits, a .288 batting average, 18 home runs and 62 RBIs while Luis Garcia and CJ Abrams each have a team-high 4 triples and Joey Meneses has 60 RBIs as well this season. Jake Irvin will get the start for the Nationals and is 3-5 with a 4.86 ERA and 62 strikeouts this season.
Washington Nationals Team Facts
- The Nationals have won each of their last five games as road underdogs against the Reds.
- The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last nine games as underdogs against the Reds following a win.
- The Nationals have led after 3 innings in four of their last six games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
- The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Nationals' last six games at Great American Ball Park.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- Lane Thomas has recorded at least one hit in each of the Nationals' last nine road games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- Joey Meneses has hit at least one home run in five of the Nationals' last 11 games against opponents that held a winning record.
- Lane Thomas has recorded at least one RBI in four of the Nationals' last five day games against NL teams that held a winning record.
- Lane Thomas has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Nationals' last six games against the Reds.
- Lane Thomas has scored at least one run in eight of his last nine appearances at Great American Ball Park.
- CJ Abrams ranks T9th in the league in Steals (25) this season.
Reds Fall Flat Again
The Cincinnati Reds could’ve used a feel-good win after what’s been a rough series so far against the Nationals, but it’s been anything but after their loss on Saturday to drop Cincinnati to 59-54 on the year, in control of the final Wild Card spot in the National League. Spencer Steer leads the Reds with 17 home runs and 108 hits with a .354 OBP while Jake Fraley is right behind with 15 home runs but does have a team-high 63 RBIs this season. Steer also has a team-high 23 doubles while TJ Friedl has a .279 batting average. Lyon Richardson will make his major league debut here and was 0-2 with a 2.15 ERA in 15 starts in AA this season.
Cincinnati Reds Team Facts
- The Reds have lost each of their last nine day games against the Nationals following a home loss.
- The Reds have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven games as favourites against the Nationals following a home loss.
- The Reds have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last five Sunday games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
- The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Reds' last 10 games as home favourites against NL East opponents.
Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts
- TJ Friedl has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds' last six day games.
- TJ Friedl has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Reds' last five day games.
- Elly De La Cruz has scored at least one run in seven of his last eight appearances.
- Nick Senzel has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances against NL East opponents.
- Elly De La Cruz has recorded an RBI in four of the Reds' last five games against NL East opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Cincinnati Reds ranks 1st in the league for steals this season (126).
- The Cincinnati Reds ranks 28th in the league for walks allowed this season (422).
- The Washington Nationals ranks 30th in the league for home runs allowed this season (158).
- The Washington Nationals ranks 2nd in the league for strikeouts against this season (786).
Chris’ Pick
I have to side with the over here. I lean towards Washington for a side, but I think it’s going to be tough for Jake Irvin at hitter-friendly Great American and this is a rough spot for Richardson in what looks to be a bullpen-type scenario, for a Reds bullpen that hasn’t been great to begin with as of late. I think the offenses have a field day here and as such, I’ll side with the over.
