Orioles vs Nationals Picks and Prediction – 5/8/2024

Orioles vs Nationals Prediction

The Baltimore Orioles, 23-11 overall and 11-4 on the road, face the Washington Nationals, who stand at 17-17 overall with a 6-9 home record. The Orioles are fresh off a sweep of the Cincinnati Reds, scoring 16 runs across three games. They'll send right-hander Kyle Bradish to the mound. Bradish has a 1.93 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP over 4.2 innings with five strikeouts and two walks. The Nationals counter with left-hander Mitchell Parker, who boasts a 2-1 record with a 2.53 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts over 21.1 innings. Elevate your MLB game with our top-notch MLB picks.

The Baltimore Orioles have been on a roll recently, winning four of the last five games, including a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds. The offense has been explosive, outscoring opponents 25-4 during that stretch. Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman lead the charge offensively, with Henderson contributing 10 home runs and 24 RBIs while batting .274. Rutschman is hitting .324 and leads the team with a .362 OBP. As a unit, Baltimore has amassed 180 runs, 54 home runs, and a team batting average of .251. 

On the mound, the Orioles have one of the league's best pitching staffs, boasting a 3.31 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. Kyle Bradish takes the hill against the Nationals and aims to replicate his last strong outing, where he posted a 1.93 ERA over 4.2 innings, striking out five batters. With an opponent batting average of just .220, the Orioles' pitchers have been able to suppress opposing offenses consistently. The bullpen, anchored by closer Félix Bautista, has been equally impressive and provides excellent support for the starting rotation.

The Washington Nationals have been inconsistent recently, winning three of the last five games but struggling overall with a 17-17 record. CJ Abrams has been a bright spot offensively, leading the team with a .283 batting average, seven home runs, and 19 RBIs. Luis Garcia Jr. has also contributed well, batting .337 with 19 RBIs. The Nationals, however, have struggled to produce consistently, scoring just 142 runs with a team batting average of .233. 

On the mound, Mitchell Parker aims to continue his solid start to the season, where he has posted a 2.53 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP with 19 strikeouts over 21.1 innings. However, the Nationals' pitching staff has struggled as a whole, recording a team ERA of 4.10 and a WHIP of 1.42. The bullpen has been unreliable, and opposing hitters have feasted on relievers’ pitching, batting .271 against them.