Washington Nationals at San Diego Padres 8/18/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Washington Nationals will go back on the road Thursday night for game one of four against the San Diego Padres. Washington comes into Thursday as the worst team in baseball 41 games below .500 after losing three of the last five games played including a 3-2 loss to Chicago on Wednesday. Cory Abbott got the start for Washington giving up two runs on three hits across 6 innings of work leading to a no decision. Jake McGee came on in relief to allow one run on one hit after recording only two outs leading to the loss and you can find out how everyone else did with our free MLB picks. 

Offensively Washington struggled immensely from the plate with only six hits in 32 at bats including an abysmal 2-8 with runners in scoring position to leave four men on base. Cesar Hernandez and Nelson Cruz were the only bright spots in the Washington line up driving in one run each.

The San Diego Padres return home Thursday 11 games over .500 despite riding a two game losing streak following a 4-3 lost to the Miami Marlins on Tuesday. Sean Manaea took the mound for San Diego giving up three runs on four hits across four innings of work leading to a no decision. The San Diego bullpen held true before Luis Garcia came on in relief to allow one run on two hits leading to the loss.

The San Diego offense was nonexistent against Miami compiling only ten hits in 36 at bats, while going 1-12 with runners in scoring position to leave 12 men on base. Manny Machado led the way for the San Diego offense with two hits and three at bats to drive in all three San Diego runs.