Washington Nationals vs San Diego Padres Prediction 05-23-2023 MLB Picks

The San Diego Padres and the Washington Nationals meet Tuesday in MLB action from Nationals Park. The Padres are fresh off a weekend series versus the Red Sox. San Diego lost two of three in that set. As for Washington, they won two of three versus the Tigers over the weekend. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

San Diego Padres

The Padres took a 6-1 loss to the Red Sox on Friday, then fell again 4-2 in game two. San Diego was able to stave off the sweep with a 7-0 shutout victory on Sunday, however. Starter Michael Wacha lasted 6.0 frames with five hits and one walk in that one.

For the starter job in the Tuesday matchup, it’ll be Yu Darvish. This year over his eight starts Darvish is 2-3 with a 3.56 ERA and 53 Ks in 48.0 innings. Over his career Darvish is 97-78 with a 3.50 ERA in 250 starts.

Washington Nationals

Over on the Nationals’ side, they lost to the Tigers 8-6 in their Friday opener. Washington came back to win the series with victories 5-2 Saturday and 6-4 in the rubber match, however. Sunday starter Josiah Gray put up 5.0 innings with one earned on three hits and six walks.

MacKenzie Gore will make the start for the Nationals on Tuesday. Across nine starts so far Gore is 3-3 with a 3.69 ERA and 58 strikeouts over 46.1 innings. Gore is 7-7 with a 4.18 ERA in 25 career games (22 starts).

The Padres are 5-2 in the last seven in game one of a series and 1-4 in their last five Tuesday games. San Diego is 21-9 in their last 30 after an off day.

Meanwhile, the Nationals are 42-90 in their last 132 at home and 27-62 in their last 89 after a win. Washington is 15-39 in their last 54 after an off day.

ANDREW’S FREE PICK

I’ll stick with the Padres in this one. We should have a fairly interesting starter matchup in this one regardless however, as both pitchers need a good bounce-back effort. Darvish is coming off a loss to Kansas City with 5.1 innings, four earned, six hits and two walks. As for Gore, he gave up four earned in 5.1 innings on five hits and two walks in a loss to the Marlins during his last outing. San Diego has been pretty choppy on offense lately, but if they can muster a good day like they did in the Red Sox finale the Padres will be fine.