Reds vs Nationals Prediction 5/12/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Reds vs Nationals prediction for this MLB game on Tuesday, May 12th at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Reds are 22-19 this season after they won two out of three against the Astros by scores of 0-10, 3-1, and 5-0. In game three, Cincinnati scored three runs in the third inning and never looked back in the win. The Reds recorded nine hits in the game and they were led by Bleday, who went 1-2 with two RBIs. Abbott allowed three hits and zero earned runs over 6.0 innings for the win, while Ashcraft closed the ninth. Prior to that series, Cincinnati lost all four against the Cubs and all three against the Pirates.

This season, Cincinnati has a 4.52 ERA with a 1.47 WHIP and a .251 opponent batting average, while they have scored 164 runs with a .219 batting average and a .305 on base percentage. Sal Stewart has led the Reds with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs, while Elly De La Cruz has added 10 home runs and 29 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Cincinnati is Brady Singer, who is 2-2 with a 5.63 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP over 38.1 innings pitched this season. 

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

The Washington Nationals are 19-22 this year after they lost two out of three against the Marlins by scores of 3-2, 7-8, and 2-5. In game three, Washington tied the game at two in the fifth inning, but they allowed three runs in the eighth for the loss. The Nationals recorded six hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Garcia Jr, who went 2-4 with one RBI. Cavalli allowed four hits and two earned runs over 5.2 innings, while Varland allowed three earned runs in relief. Prior to that series, Washington won two out of three against the Twins, but lost two out of three against the Brewers before that. 

This season, Washington has a 4.82 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP and a .255 opponent batting average, while they have scored 217 runs with a .242 batting average and a .323 on base percentage. CJ Abrams has led the Nationals with nine home runs and 36 RBIs, while James Wood has added 11 home runs and 28 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Miles Mikolas, who is 1-3 with a 7.44 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP over 32.2 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Cincinnati Reds will win

• The home team has won 10 of the Reds’ last 11 games.
• The Nationals have lost four of their last five games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Reds have covered the run line in six of their last seven night games against NL East opponents.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Nationals have lost the first inning in four of their last five night games at Great American Ball Park.
• The Reds have led after 3 innings in four of their last five night games against the Nationals at Great American Ball Park.
• The Reds have led after 5 innings in seven of their last eight night games at Great American Ball Park against NL East opponents.

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The Nationals have won each of their last six games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents following a loss.
• The Reds have lost each of their last seven games against National League opponents.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last eight night games following a loss.
• The Reds have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games as favorites against NL East opponents.
• The Nationals have won the first inning in three of their last four night games against opponents that held a winning record.
• The Nationals have led after 3 innings in three of their last four road night games.
• The Nationals have led after 5 innings in four of their last five games.

Total Runs Facts

• Five of the Nationals’ last six games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Five of the Reds’ last six games as favorites against NL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Nationals’ last seven night games at Great American Ball Park.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the last nine night games between the Nationals and Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Ke’Bryan Hayes has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances in night games against NL East teams that held a losing record.
• Brady Singer has recorded a win in six of his last seven appearances with the Reds as favorites.
• Brady Singer has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last three home appearances against NL East opponents.
• Spencer Steer has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last 10 games against NL opponents.
• Elly De La Cruz ranks T10th in the league in Hits (47) this season.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• Keibert Ruiz has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances against the Reds after not playing the previous day.
• Miles Mikolas has recorded four or more strikeouts in six of his last seven road appearances against NL Central opponents.
• CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 18 road appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• 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 (.219).
• The Reds are one of only two teams in the league to rank top 10 in both steals and home runs this season.
• The Nationals rank T2nd in the league for runs scored this season (217).
• The Nationals rank T29th in the league for home runs allowed this season (59).

Reds vs Nationals Prediction 

Cincinnati comes into this matchup on a two game winning streak and they have allowed just one run in those two wins. The Reds are 12-9 at home this year, while the Nationals are 13-9 on the road. Washington is coming off of a series loss to Miami and they have allowed 5+ runs in three of their last four. The Nationals are starting Mikolas, who has allowed five earned runs and six hits in his last two starts, while Singer has allowed eight earned runs and 13 hits in his last two starts. Take the Nationals on the road, as Mikolas has shown slight improvement recently.