Reds vs Nationals Prediction 5/14/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Reds vs Nationals prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, May 14th 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 22-21 this year after they lost the first two games in this series by scores of 4-10 and 7-8. In game two, Cincinnati led 5-0 in the first inning and 6-5 in the third, but they went scoreless over the next six innings in the extra innings loss. The Reds recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Stephenson, who went 1-4 with one home run and four RBIs. Lodolo allowed six hits and five earned runs over 4.0 innings, while Santillan picked up the loss. Prior to this series, Cincinnati won two out of three against the Astros, but lost all four against the Cubs before that. 

This season, Cincinnati has a 4.69 ERA with a 1.48 WHIP and a .253 opponent batting average, while they have scored 175 runs with a .220 batting average and a .306 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 Chase Burns, who is 4-1 with a 2.11 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP over 47.0 innings pitched this year. 

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

The Washington Nationals are 21-22 this season after they won game two in extra innings by a score of 8-7. Washington erased an early 5-0 deficit and they were able to score two runs in the 10th inning for the win. The Nationals recorded 10 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Lile, who went 2-4 with one home run and three RBIs. Irvin allowed four hits and five earned runs over 3.0 innings, while Varland picked up the win and Poulin got the save. Prior to this series, Washington lost two out of three against the Marlins, but did win two out of three against the Twins before that. 

This season, Washington has a 4.77 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP and a .254 opponent batting average, while they have scored 235 runs with a .245 batting average and a .325 on base percentage. CJ Abrams has led the Nationals with nine home runs and 36 RBIs, while James Wood has added 12 home runs and 29 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Foster Griffin, who is 4-1 with a 2.12 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP over 46.2 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Cincinnati Reds will win

• The Reds have won 15 of their last 16 day games following a home loss.
• The Nationals have lost 15 of their last 19 games after going to extra innings.
• The Reds have covered the run line in each of their last four day games following a home loss.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games against National League opponents after going to extra innings.
• The Reds have led after 5 innings in each of their last four home day games.

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The Reds have lost each of their last nine games against National League opponents.
• The Nationals have won five of their last six games as underdogs against the Reds.
• The Reds have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 11 games as favorites against the Nationals following a home loss.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in nine of their last 10 road games after playing the previous day.
• The Reds have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three day games against NL East opponents.
• The Reds have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five games against NL East opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Reds’ last six home games after going to extra innings have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Four of the Nationals’ last five games after going to extra innings have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last six day games between the Nationals and Reds.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Nationals’ last four day games at Great American Ball Park.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Spencer Steer has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last 12 games against NL opponents.
• Tyler Stephenson has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances against the Nationals after playing the previous day.
• Elly De La Cruz ranks T4th in the league in Hits (51) this season.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• Luis Garcia has hit at least one home run in two of the Nationals’ last three road games against the Reds.
• CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 20 road appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• Nasim Nunez ranks 2nd 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 (315).
• The Nationals rank T1st in the league for doubles this season (81).
• The Nationals rank 2nd in the league for runs scored this season (235).

Reds vs Nationals Prediction 

Washington comes into this matchup looking to complete the series sweep, which would get them back to .500 as well. The Nationals are 15-9 on the road this year, while the Reds are 12-11 at home. Cincinnati has lost three of their last five games and they have allowed 8+ runs in all three of those losses. The Reds are starting Burns, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five straight starts, while Griffin has allowed one earned run in his last 20.0 innings. Take the under in this one.