Nationals vs Reds Prediction 5/13/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article, we will formulate a Nationals vs Reds Prediction for this MLB matchup on Wednesday, May 13^th in the second game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Cincinnati Reds Preview

The Cincinnati Reds have a 22-20 record this season and are sitting in the fifth place of the NL Central. They have a 12-10 home record and are coming off a 4-10 loss at home against the Nationals. They will face the Guardians and the Phillies next.

The Reds have a .220 batting average this season, .305 OBP and .379 Slugging percentage. Cincinnati’s pitching staff has a 4.65 ERA and 1.48 WHIP. Elly De La Cruz is the team’s best hitter with a .292 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 29. Sal Stewart adds a team‑high 10 home runs.

Nick Lodolo (L) is the projected starting pitcher for the Reds, and he has a 0-1 record, 6.75 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.

Washington Nationals Preview

The Washington Nationals have a 20-22 record this season and are sitting in the third place of the NL East. They have a 14-9 away record and are coming off a 10-4 win on the road against the Reds. They will face the Orioles and the Mets next.

The Nationals have a .244 batting average this season, .325 OBP and .411 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 .293 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 36. James Wood adds a team‑high 12 home runs.

Jake Irvin (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Nationals, and he has a 1-4 record, 5.22 ERA and 1.36 WHIP.

Washington Nationals @ Cincinnati Reds Betting Trends: May 13, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Nick Lodolo      Record this season: 0-1      ERA: 6.75
• Home Record: 0-1
• Last 5 against Nationals: 1-2

Why the Cincinnati Reds will win

• The Reds have won each of their last seven games following a home loss.
• The Nationals have lost eight of their last nine night games following a win.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine night games following a win.
• The Reds have covered the run line in each of their last four games following a home loss.
• The Reds have led after 3 innings in three of their last four night games against the Nationals at Great American Ball Park.
• The Reds have led after 5 innings in seven of their last nine night games at Great American Ball Park against NL East opponents.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Jake Irvin      Record this season: 1-4      ERA: 5.22
• Road Record: 1-1
• Last 5 against Reds: 0-1

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The Reds have lost each of their last eight games against National League opponents.
• The Nationals have won four of their last five games as underdogs against the Reds.
• The Reds have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 10 games as favorites against the Nationals following a home loss.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in eight of their last nine road games after playing the previous day.
• The Nationals have led after 3 innings in four of their last five road night games.
• The Reds have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four games against NL East opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Reds’ last four home games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Three of the Nationals’ last four games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Nationals’ last eight night games at Great American Ball Park.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Reds’ last five games.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Ke’Bryan Hayes has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances in night games against NL East teams that held a losing record.
• Nick Lodolo has recorded a win in each of his last four appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• Nick Lodolo has recorded seven or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances against NL East opponents.
• Spencer Steer has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last 11 games against NL opponents.
• Elly De La Cruz ranks T5th in the league in Hits (49) this season.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 19 road appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• Luis Garcia has hit at least one home run in each of the Nationals’ last two road games against the Reds.
• Nasim Nunez ranks 1st 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 (308).
• The Nationals rank 2nd in the league for runs scored this season (227).
• The Nationals rank 2nd in the league for RBIs this season (213).

Nationals vs Reds Prediction

The Nationals are 8-2 in their last 10 meetings against the Reds and are 3-1 in their last 4 visits in Cincinnati.

In this Nationals vs Reds Prediction, the Reds are coming as -165 home favorites. Yesterday’s game had a whopping 14 total runs and I will once again look to an over in this game, as both pitchers have been bad with a combined 11.97 ERA. Washington has one of the best offenses in baseball this season and both teams’ pitching staff has been terrible with a combined 9.42 ERA and 1.40+ WHIP. Both bullpens are bottom-6 in baseball so this shapes up as another high-scoring affair. Take the over 9 runs in this one.