Nationals vs Rockies Picks and Prediction – 4/20/2025

Washington heads to Coors Field for a doubleheader against Colorado, kicking off Game 1 at 1:10 PM ET. The Nationals come in at 7-12 after a rough 1-0 loss to the Pirates, while the Rockies are struggling even more at 3-15 following a series loss to the Phillies. On the mound, Jake Irvin (1-0, 3.91 ERA) will start for Washington against Kyle Freeland (0-3, 4.88 ERA) for Colorado. Elevate your MLB game with our top-notch MLB picks.

Washington dropped four of its last five, scoring just one run total in back-to-back losses against Pittsburgh. The offense has cooled off, and timely hitting continues to be a problem. Despite that, Irvin has been a bright spot. He’s allowed just 21 hits in 23 innings and has struck out 18, showing decent control with a 1.22 WHIP. Joey Meneses and James Wood need to get going early to take pressure off a pitching staff that’s been overworked.

The Nationals have a 5.05 ERA and are allowing a .274 opponent batting average. That's not ideal, but Irvin has looked like their most dependable starter lately. Washington’s bullpen will be stretched in a doubleheader, and with five players, including CJ Abrams and Paul DeJong, still on the IL, depth is an issue. Despite a sub-.230 team batting average, the Nats have hit 19 home runs and scored 77 runs, thanks in part to Nick Lowe’s 16 RBIs and Wood’s six homers.

Colorado’s record says it all. At 3-15, the Rockies have the worst mark in the majors and have lost three straight, including a 5-2 defeat in their last outing. The offense has been inconsistent, and Kyle Freeland’s 0-3 record reflects a rocky start. He’s given up 27 hits and four homers over 24 innings despite a solid 1.21 WHIP.

The Rockies’ pitching has been even shakier than Washington’s, with a team ERA of 5.29 and a .290 opponent batting average. Offensively, Colorado ranks near the bottom in homers (12) and runs (52). Brenton Doyle is out on bereavement, leaving a lineup short on pop. Kyle Farmer has been the most consistent bat at .345, but the Rockies’ .220 average and .285 OBP won’t scare anyone right now.

Washington has the edge on the mound with Irvin looking sharper than Freeland and holds a slight advantage in power (19 homers vs 12), total runs (77 vs 52), and overall hitting. Colorado’s bullpen and defense have been a mess, and with Doyle missing, the lineup lacks depth. Final Score Prediction: Washington Nationals win 6-3.