Free MLB Picks Today: Washington Nationals vs Cincinnati Reds 7/3/23

The Washington Nationals (34-49), one of the least productive lineups in the National League, are set to host the Cincinnati Reds (45-39) at Nationals Park on Monday for the opener of a four-game series.

The Reds are playing their first of seven games on the road. They won two out of three in their last series against the Padres, taking the finale 4-3 on Sunday at Great American Ball Park.

Spencer Steer was 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs. Tyler Stephenson added a home run and two RBIs. The Nationals are back home for a seven-game homestand after returning from a productive nine-game road trip (6-3).

They won two of three against the Phillies in their last series, taking the finale 5-4 on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. Stone Garrett went 2 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs.

Jeimer Candelario added a home run and two runs. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Nationals won four of the seven games between the teams, although they dropped two out of three in their most recent meeting at Nationals Park in August.

ON THE MOUND

Luke Weaver (1-2, 6.96 ERA) is set to take the mound for Cincinnati. The righty allowed four runs over 4.1 innings in his last start, an 11-7 road win over the Orioles on Wednesday. He gave up six hits while striking out two and walking two in the no-decision.

Weaver made one appearance against the Nationals in 2022, a 7-2 home victory for the Diamondbacks on July 23. He held Washington scoreless over one no-hit inning, striking out two. For Washington, RHP Jake Irvin (1-4, 4.72 ERA) will toe the rubber.

In his last start on Tuesday, Irvin took a no-decision on the road against the Mariners. He threw 5.2 innings and gave up three runs on five hits, striking out four and walking two in the 7-4 victory.

AT THE PLATE

The Cincinnati offense is averaging 5.0 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .256/.335/.413. Steer leads the team in OPS at .859. The third baseman is slashing .279/.370/.490 with 14 home runs, 50 RBIs, and 43 runs over 81 games.

Over the last five games, however, Cincinnati has averaged 6.0 runs a game due in part to improved slugging (.455). Against right-handed pitchers like Irvin this season, the Reds have a .745 OPS.

Jake Fraley is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .932 OPS in 183 at-bats. Washington is slashing .261/.317/.395 for the season and averaging 4.1 runs per game, the third lowest in the National League. Lane Thomas leads the team with a .864 OPS.

The center fielder has 14 home runs, 44 RBIs, and 57 runs scored with a slash line of .303/.352/.513. The Nats have a .689 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the fifth lowest in the league. With a .884 OPS over 204 at-bats, Candelario has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Cincinnati is 22-18 away from Great American Ball Park in 2023, scoring 4.9 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. Washington has gone 13-27 at Nationals Park this season, averaging 3.7 runs per game while surrendering 5.4. In the last 10 games at Nationals Park between the teams, Washington is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.3-3.8.