Nationals vs Blue Jays Picks and Prediction – 3/31/2025

The Washington Nationals head north to face the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night at Rogers Centre. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:07 PM EST, with Bowden Francis on the mound for the Jays. Washington hasn’t named a starter yet. The Nationals are 0-2 after dropping the first two games to the Phillies, including an 11-6 loss on Saturday. Toronto sits at 1-2 after losing two of three to the Orioles, capped off by a 9-5 loss. Elevate your MLB game with our top-notch MLB picks.

Washington has had a rough start to the season, especially on the mound. The Nats gave up 18 runs in the opening two games and have struggled to get outs consistently. Keibert Ruiz has been the lone bright spot in the lineup, hitting .571 with 2 home runs and 3 RBI. They haven’t announced a starter for this one, but considering the bullpen's 8.05 ERA and 1.89 WHIP, it won’t matter much unless someone steps up.

Defensively, Washington has been one of the worst units early. They've already allowed 26 hits and 4 home runs, while the pitching staff has only struck out 24 batters in two games. Injuries have hit the staff hard, with Cade Cavalli, Mason Thompson, and Derek Law all sidelined, which leaves this rotation thin and the bullpen overexposed. The current .236 team average with a .313 OBP isn't enough to offset the pitching struggles.

Toronto bounced back from a 12-2 loss on Opening Day with a convincing 8-2 win but then got out-slugged in a 9-5 defeat Saturday. Bowden Francis will get the ball Monday, and it’s a chance for him to make an early mark. Offensively, Bo Bichette has been on fire, hitting .500 with a .571 OBP, while Andres Gimenez has driven in 4 runs and launched 2 homers.

The Blue Jays' defense has issues of its own. The staff holds a 7.67 ERA, but has walked only 10 batters and struck out 26. The bullpen has work to do, but overall, they've allowed fewer runs and kept hitters to a .279 average. The offense has looked sharper, batting .271 with 26 hits in three games. Injuries include Max Scherzer and Daulton Varsho, but this lineup still has enough firepower to handle Washington’s pitching.

The Blue Jays have the better lineup, a more reliable starting pitcher in Bowden Francis, and a bullpen that, while not elite, has been more effective than Washington’s disaster of a staff. Washington’s 8.05 ERA and missing arms in the bullpen make this a tough task, especially on the road. With Bo Bichette and Andres Gimenez already swinging hot bats, Toronto has the edge across the board. Final Score Prediction: Toronto Blue Jays win 7-4.