Nationals vs. Tigers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 21, 2023

May 21, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

The Washington Nationals (19-27) host the Detroit Tigers (20-23) Sunday to close out a three-game series. The Nationals are favored (-134) to win the rubber match, which starts at 1:35 PM ET from Nationals Park.

Washington’s Josiah Gray gets the start, and he’ll go against Detroit’s Joey Wentz.

Nationals vs. Tigers Odds

Nationals odds to win: -134
Tigers odds to win: +114
Spread: Nationals -1.5
Total: 8.5 runs

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Game Time and Information

Date: Sunday, May 21, 2023
Time: 1:35 PM ET
TV: MASN2

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Who Will Win Nationals vs. Tigers?

Nationals and Tigers Betting Trends

The Nationals have been listed as the moneyline favorite only one other time so far this season, a game they won.

Washington has ynot played as moneyline favorites of -134 or shorter.

The Tigers have been underdogs in 39 games this season and won 17 (43.6%) of those contests.

This season, Detroit has won 15 of its 34 games, or 44.1%, when it’s the underdog by at least +114 on the moneyline.

In the 45 games in which bookmakers have set an over/under for the Nationals, they have combined with opponents to go over the total 19 times (19-23-3).

The Tigers and their opponents have hit the over in 21 of their 43 games with a total this season.

Nationals Stats & Insights

The Nationals are the 23rd-highest scoring team in baseball averaging 4.1 runs per game (187 total).

Washington has hit the second-fewest home runs in MLB action this season (32).

The Nationals rank ninth in the majors with a .259 batting average.

Washington’s hitters strike out 7.1 times per game, the second-lowest average in the majors.

The 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings compiled by the Nationals pitching staff ranks last in MLB.

Washington has the 17th-ranked team ERA across all MLB pitching staffs (4.38).

Tigers Stats & Insights

The Tigers are among the lowest scoring teams in the league, ranking last with just 153 total runs (3.6 per game) this season.

Detroit has hit just 36 homers this season, which ranks 27th in the majors.

The Tigers have a team batting average of just .227 this season, which ranks 29th among MLB teams.

Detroit ranks 11th in strikeouts per game (nine) among MLB offenses.

The Tigers average just 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings as a pitching staff, which ranks 27th in the league.

Detroit has the 20th-ranked ERA (4.41) in the majors this season.

Nationals Key Players to Watch

Gray makes the start for the Nationals, his 10th of the season. He is 3-5 with a 2.73 ERA and 45 strikeouts through 52 2/3 innings pitched.

Lane Thomas leads Washington in home runs with six, runs batted in with 23 and his batting average of .292 is also best on his team.

Jeimer Candelario is slugging .447 this season, with a team-best six homers while driving in 19 runs.

Luis Garcia is slashing .255/.301/.359 this season for the Nationals.

Keibert Ruiz has collected 36 hits this season and has an OBP of .309. He’s slugging .369 on the year.

Tigers Key Players to Watch

Wentz (1-3) will take the mound for the Tigers, his ninth start of the season.

Riley Greene paces the Tigers with a .289 batting average.

Spencer Torkelson has made the most of his opportunities as he paces his team with 20 RBI.

Javier Baez is batting .234 with six doubles, three home runs and eight walks.

Zach McKinstry is hitting .271 with five doubles, three home runs and 13 walks.

Nationals and Tigers Injuries

Nationals: Victor Robles: 10 Day IL (Back), Israel Pineda: 10 Day IL (Finger), Stephen Strasburg: 60 Day IL (Ribs/shoulder), Tanner Rainey: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Cade Cavalli: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Victor Arano: 60 Day IL (Shoulder)

Tigers: Kerry Carpenter: 10 Day IL (Shoulder), Spencer Turnbull: 15 Day IL (Neck), Trey Wingenter: 15 Day IL (Biceps), Matt Manning: 60 Day IL (Foot), Austin Meadows: 60 Day IL (Anxiety), Beau Brieske: 60 Day IL (Arm), Casey Mize: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Tarik Skubal: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Freddy Pacheco: 60 Day IL (Elbow)