Nationals vs Reds Picks and Prediction – 5/2/2025

The Friday MLB schedule will get underway with a matchup between the Washington Nationals and the Cincinnati Reds from the Great American Ball Park. Be ready for the baseball season with all of our MLB predictions. The Nationals (14-18) have dropped 11 of their first 16 road games and are in fourth place in the NL East Division standings. On Thursday, 2B Luis Garcia Jr. went 2-for-4 with a run and swiped two bags to spark Washington to a 4-2 road victory against Philadelphia. 

Twenty-seven year old southpaw Mitchell Parker (3-1, 2.65 ERA) will make his seventh start of the year for the Nationals. Last time out, Parker gave up seven runs (6 ER) in five innings during an 8-7 home victory versus New York. 

The Cincinnati Reds have split their first 16 home games and are two games back of Chicago for the top spot in the NL Central Division. On Thursday, C Jose Trevino’s two-run blast in the second inning was all the offense Cincinnati would need during a 9-1 home victory versus St. Louis. Graham Ashcraft (2-2) struck out four batters in three scoreless relief innings to earn the win for the Reds (17-15).

Twenty-five year old righty Hunter Greene (3-2, 2.70 ERA) has the talent to become a future Cy Young Award winner for the Reds. Through 36 plus innings, Greene has fanned 43 batters and sports a minuscule 0.85 WHIP.

Cincinnati OF Austin Hays is dealing with a hamstring injury and is listed as day-to-day. Through 32 games, Washington ranks 18th in OPS and 16th in runs scored. For the season, Cincinnati ranks 12th in OPS and 7th in runs scored. Take the under. Final Score Prediction, Cincinnati Reds win 5-1.