Nationals vs Twins Prediction 5/5/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Nationals vs Twins prediction for this MLB game on Tuesday, May 5th at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

The Washington Nationals are 16-19 this year after they lost two out of three against the Brewers by scores of 1-6, 1-4, and 3-2. In game three, Washington trailed 1-0 in the middle innings, but they scored two runs in the fifth and one in the seventh to get the win. The Nationals recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Nunez, who went 2-3 with two RBIs. Littell allowed one hit and one earned run over 3.2 innings for the win, while Lovelady picked up the save. Prior to that series, Washington won two out of three against the Mets and two out of three against the White Sox. 

This season, Washington has a 4.81 ERA with a 1.45 WHIP and a .258 opponent batting average, while they have scored 180 runs with a .239 batting average and a .319 on base percentage. CJ Abrams has led the Nationals with eight home runs and 27 RBIs, while James Wood has added 10 home runs and 24 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Cade Cavalli, who is 1-1 with a 3.82 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP over 30.2 innings pitched this year. 

Minnesota Twins Betting Preview

The Minnesota Twins are 15-20 this season after they split four games with the Blue Jays by scores of 7-1, 3-7, 4-11, and 4-3. In game four, Minnesota scored the first four runs in the game, but they barely hung on for the win in the ninth. The Twins recorded nine hits in the game and they were led by Caratini and Clemens, who both had one RBI and one walk. Morris allowed two hits and zero earned runs over 3.2 innings for the win, while Topa picked up the save. Prior to that series, Minnesota lost two out of three against the Mariners and all three against the Rays. 

This season, Minnesota has a 4.46 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP and a .253 opponent batting average, while they have scored 165 runs with a .235 batting average and a .326 on base percentage. Ryan Jeffers has led the Twins with four home runs and 21 RBIs, while Josh Bell has added three home runs and 17 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Minnesota is Taj Bradley, who is 3-1 with a 2.85 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP over 41.0 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The Twins have lost each of their last 10 night games against NL East opponents following a win.
• The Nationals have won each of their last seven games as favorites against the Twins.
• The Twins have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven games against NL East opponents following a home win.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Twins have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last six road games.
• The Twins have trailed after 3 innings in seven of their last eight road games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
• The Nationals have won the first inning in each of their last four games as favorites against the Twins at Nationals Park.

Why the Minnesota Twins will win

• The Nationals have lost each of their last nine home games following a win.
• The Twins have won seven of their last 10 games as road underdogs following a home win.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last nine home games following a win.
• The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the last four games between the Twins and Nationals.
• The Nationals have trailed after 3 innings in six of their last seven home games against American League opponents.
• The Nationals have lost the first inning in three of their last four games as favorites.
• The Nationals have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last seven home games against American League opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Nine of the Nationals’ last 10 home games against AL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Five of the Twins’ last six night games as underdogs have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Nationals’ last eight night games at Nationals Park.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Twins’ last four night games.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 Tuesday appearances against teams that held a losing record.
• Joey Wiemer has hit a home run in five of his last 13 appearances after not playing the previous day.
• Nasim Nunez ranks 1st in the league in Steals (14) this season.

Minnesota Twins Player Prop Facts

• Byron Buxton has hit at least one home run in eight of the Twins’ last nine night games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Josh Bell has recorded a hit in each of his last six appearances in night games.
• Byron Buxton ranks T8th in the league in Home Runs (10) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Nationals rank 30th in the league for home runs allowed this season (52).
• The Nationals rank 29th in the league for runs allowed this season (197).
• The Twins rank 28th in the league for doubles this season (44).
• The Twins are one of only three teams in the league to rank top 10 in both steals and home runs this season.

Nationals vs Twins Prediction 

Washington was able to avoid the sweep with a win on Sunday and they have won three of their last five games. The Nationals are 4-12 at home this year, while the Twins are 5-10 on the road. Minnesota has allowed 5+ runs in three of their last five games and they are starting Bradley, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. Washington is going with Cavalli, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five. This is a pretty even pitching matchup, so I will side with the better offensive team. Take the Nationals here.