Free MLB Picks Today: San Diego Padres vs Washington Nationals 6/23/23

The Washington Nationals (28-46) take one of the weakest offenses in the National League on the road to face the San Diego Padres (36-39) at Petco Park on Friday for the first of a three-game series.

The Nationals are playing their first of nine games on the road after wrapping up a tough seven-game homestand (1-6). They lost their last game 5-3 against the Diamondbacks at Nationals Park on Thursday.

Riley Adams was 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs. Keibert Ruiz also went 3 for 4 with a double and one run. The Padres lost three of four against the Giants in their last series, taking the finale 10-0 on Thursday at Oracle Park.

Gary Sanchez went 3 for 5 with a home run, two runs, and three RBIs. Manny Machado added a home run and a double. He scored two runs and drove in three.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Padres have won two of three in the season series between the teams, including an 8-6 victory in their most recent meeting on May 25 at Nationals Park.

Drew Carlton got the win with one scoreless inning out of the bullpen, and Josh Hader earned his 13th save with a scoreless ninth.

ON THE MOUND

Patrick Corbin (4-8, 4.89 ERA) is in line for the start for Washington. The LHP allowed four runs over six innings in his last start, a 4-2 home defeat against the Marlins on Sunday. He took the loss, giving up 11 hits while striking out three and walking two.

Corbin is making his first appearance against the Padres this season. Corbin made one start against the Padres in 2022, a 2-1 road loss on August 21. He surrendered two runs on nine hits over 5.1 innings, striking out three and walking two. For San Diego, right-hander Joe Musgrove (5-2, 4.22 ERA) will take the mound.

It’s his first appearance of the season against the Nationals. Musgrove made one start against the Nationals in 2022, throwing six innings in a 2-1 home win on August 20. He gave up four hits while striking out seven in the no-decision.

In his last start on Sunday, Musgrove got the win at home against the Rays. He threw six innings and gave up two runs on six hits, striking out one and walking one in the 5-4 triumph.

AT THE PLATE

The Washington offense is averaging 4.1 runs per game for the season, the third lowest in the NL, with a slash line of .262/.320/.391. Lane Thomas leads the team in OPS at .826. The center fielder is slashing .290/.339/.488 with 12 home runs, 37 RBIs, and 50 runs over 73 games.

Against right-handed pitchers like Musgrove this season, the Nats have a .689 OPS. Jeimer Candelario is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .850 OPS in 179 at-bats.

San Diego is slashing .230/.319/.394 for the season and averaging 4.3 runs per game. Fernando Tatis Jr. leads the team with a .911 OPS.

The right fielder has 15 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 39 runs scored with a slash line of .286/.353/.558. The Padres have a .768 OPS against Southpaws in 2023. With a 1.164 OPS over 50 at-bats, Tatis Jr. also has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Washington is 15-19 in away games in 2023, scoring 4.7 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. San Diego has gone 19-20 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.1 runs per game while surrendering 3.7. Washington is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the teams at Petco Park with an average scoreline of 5.4-3.7.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, 19 games behind the division-leading Braves. The Padres are fourth in the NL West, nine games behind the Diamondbacks.