Nationals vs Reds Picks and Prediction – 5/4/2025

On Sunday, the Washington Nationals (14-18) face off against the Cincinnati Reds (17-15) at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. Keep up to date with all the MLB action, with our expert MLB picks.

Cincinnati comes into this matchup on a one-game winning streak and has won three of their last five games prior to their first two games against Washington. In their commanding 9-1 victory over St. Louis, Jose Trevino contributed significantly for the Reds, going 1-for-3 at the plate, hitting a home run, driving in three runs, and crossing the plate himself once. So far this season, the Reds have seen power at the plate from Austin Hays and Elly De La Cruz, who are tied for the team lead with five home runs each. Matt McLain follows closely behind as the team’s second-most prolific home run hitter, totaling four. When it comes to producing runs, Elly De La Cruz stands out as Cincinnati’s leader in RBIs, amassing an impressive 24 already this year. On the batting average front, Gavin Lux has set the pace for the Reds' lineup, currently sporting an impressive .317 average, making him the top hitter by average on the roster. Over their last five games, the Reds have averaged 4.2 runs per contest, a solid output that has helped keep them in the thick of the NL Central race, just two games out of first place behind the Chicago Cubs. With playoff hopes still very much alive, Cincinnati is shaping up as a potential surprise contender and will be searching for more offensive success as they kick off a home series against the Nationals. Overall on the season, the Reds average 5.1 runs per game, underscoring their ability to generate consistent scoring.

Washington enters this game on a one-game winning streak, but has dropped three of their last five games prior to their first two games against Cincinnati. During their 4-2 victory over Philadelphia, Brad Lord took the mound for the Nationals and delivered a solid performance. He pitched five innings, giving up six hits and two earned runs, while walking just one batter and striking out four. So far this season, James Wood has emerged as Washington’s top power threat, leading the team with nine home runs. Following him is Nathaniel Lowe, who has hit six home runs to rank second on the team. Lowe has also been the Nationals’ top run producer, tallying a team-best 25 RBIs in the season to date. At the plate, Keibert Ruiz stands out for his consistency, boasting a .299 batting average—the best mark among all Nationals players this year. However, pitching continues to be a major concern for Washington, as evidenced by their struggles in recent games. Over their last five contests, the Nationals’ pitching staff has surrendered an average of 8.4 runs per game, contributing to the team’s current fourth-place standing in the NL East Division. As the Nationals prepare to travel and take on the potent Cincinnati Reds offense, improving their pitching performance will be critical. Offensively, Washington is averaging 4.2 runs per game across the season, indicating that while their lineup has provided some support, the pitching staff will need to step up to keep the team competitive moving forward.

Cincinnati boasts one of the most productive offenses in the National League, currently sitting fourth in runs scored per game. They’ll aim to keep that offensive momentum going as they host the Washington Nationals at home. On the other hand, the Nationals have struggled away from home so far this season and will be eager to pick up a key road victory to gain some confidence and get back on track. On the mound, Washington will turn to left-hander MacKenzie Gore, who has posted a 2-3 record with a solid 3.51 ERA so far this year. Opposing him will be Cincinnati’s right-hander Nick Martinez, who holds a 1-3 record and a higher 4.68 ERA coming into this matchup. Both starters will be looking to deliver strong performances and help set the tone early for their respective teams. Final Score Prediction, Cincinnati Reds win 3-2.