Padres vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, May 23, 2023

May 23, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

Following a four-hit effort in a win over the Tigers, Jeimer Candelario leads the Washington Nationals (20-27) into action as +133 underdogs against the San Diego Padres (21-26). First pitch from Nationals Park at 7:05 PM ET on Tuesday, live on MASN2.

San Diego’s Yu Darvish and Washington’s MacKenzie Gore have been named the starters for this contest.

Padres vs. Nationals Odds

Padres odds to win: -155
Nationals odds to win: +133
Spread: Padres -1.5
Total: 8 runs

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Game Time and Information

Date: Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Time: 7:05 PM ET
TV: MASN2

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Who Will Win Padres vs. Nationals?

Padres and Nationals Betting Trends

The Padres have won 46.4% of the games this season when they were favored on the moneyline (13-15).

San Diego has gone 7-9 when it has played as moneyline favorites with odds of -155 or shorter (43.8% winning percentage).

This season, the Nationals have won 17 out of the 44 games, or 38.6%, in which they’ve been the underdog.

Washington has a record of 13-16, a 44.8% win rate, when it’s set as an underdog of +133 or more by bookmakers this season.

In the 47 games in which oddsmakers have set an over/under for the Padres, they have combined with opponents to go over the total 14 times (14-30-3).

The Nationals’ games have gone over the total in 20 of their 46 chances.

Padres Stats & Insights

The Padres are the fifth-lowest scoring team in baseball averaging 3.9 runs per game (182 total).

San Diego is 19th in MLB action with 50 home runs. They average 1.1 per game.

The Padres rank last in the majors with a .221 batting average.

San Diego’s 8.8 strikeouts per game rank 17th in baseball.

The pitching staff for the Padres has a collective 8.6 K/9, which ranks 17th in MLB.

San Diego’s 3.95 team ERA ranks 10th among all MLB pitching staffs.

Nationals Stats & Insights

The Nationals have scored the 24th-most runs in the league this season with 193 (4.1 per game).

Washington’s 34 home runs rank 29th in MLB this season.

The Nationals have a team batting average of .263 this season, which ranks fifth among MLB teams.

Washington is one of the best teams in baseball at making contact this season, ranking second with an average of 7.1 strikeouts per game.

The Nationals strike out just 7.4 batters per nine innings as a pitching staff, worst in MLB.

Washington has pitched to a 4.35 ERA this season, which ranks 19th in baseball.

Padres Key Players to Watch

The Padres are sending Darvish (2-3) to make his ninth start of the season. He is 2-3 with a 3.56 ERA and 53 strikeouts through 48 2/3 innings pitched.

Juan Soto is batting .248 this season with a team-high eight home runs and 21 RBI.

Xander Bogaerts’ batting average of .257 leads all San Diego hitters this season.

Jake Cronenworth has collected 34 base hits, an OBP of .325 and a slugging percentage of .373 this season.

Fernando Tatis Jr. has collected 32 hits this season and has an OBP of .315. He’s slugging .496 on the year.

Nationals Key Players to Watch

The Nationals will hand the ball to Gore (3-3) for his 10th start of the season.

Lane Thomas leads the Nationals with six home runs and 23 runs batted in.

Candelario has put his power on display as he leads his team with six home runs.

Luis Garcia is hitting .255 with five doubles, a triple, three home runs and 11 walks.

Keibert Ruiz is batting .242 with seven doubles, four home runs and 11 walks.

Padres and Nationals Injuries

Padres: Luis Campusano: 10 Day IL (Thumb sprain), Manny Machado: 10 Day IL (Hand), Seth Lugo: 15 Day IL (Calf), Nabil Crismatt: 15 Day IL (Hip strain), José Castillo: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Drew Pomeranz: 60 Day IL (Elbow/flexor), Robert Suarez: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Adrian Morejon: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Eguy Rosario: 60 Day IL (Ankle)

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)