- Matchup: Washington Nationals vs Cincinnati Reds
- Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026
- Venue: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH
- Broadcast: Reds.TV
- Betting Odds: Washington (+162) Cincinnati (-196)
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The Washington Nationals, with a record of 20-22, are set to face off against the Cincinnati Reds (22-20) at Great American Ball Park this Thursday. According to the odds, Washington is listed at +162, while Cincinnati opens at -196, with the over/under set at 8 runs. The starting pitchers for this matchup are expected to be Foster Griffin and Chase Burns.
The Washington Nationals are currently scoring an average of 5.4 runs per game, ranking them second in MLB. They have accumulated a total of 227 runs and maintain an on-base percentage of .325 this season. The team has hit 78 doubles and 50 home runs, with 213 RBIs and 352 hits, while holding a batting average of .244. The Nationals also boast a slugging percentage of .411, though they have struck out 358 times and received 155 walks.
The Nationals’ pitching staff has a cumulative ERA of 4.77 (ranking 28th in MLB), with 318 strikeouts to date. However, they’ve allowed 59 home runs and a total of 234 runs (29th in the league). This season, Washington’s pitchers have walked 161 opponents, and the FIP is 4.95 as a team. They have given up 375 hits (9.0 per nine innings) and have allowed 200 earned runs. Their strikeout-to-walk ratio stands at 1.98, with a collective WHIP of 1.42.
In high-pressure situations, Nationals relief pitchers have entered the game with runners on base 41 times, and they have had 45 appearances in leverage scenarios. They have recorded 22 holds (20th in MLB) and own a save rate of 45.5%, successfully converting 10 out of 48 save opportunities. This season, the bullpen has inherited 61 runners, with 44.3% of them scoring. In total, the Nationals have used 139 relief pitchers this year.
Defensively, the Nationals have converted 69.2% of balls in play into outs over 3,393 innings, placing them 23rd overall. They have accumulated 1,131 putouts, 392 assists, and 41 errors, holding a fielding percentage of .974 (30th in MLB), along with 29 double plays.
Griffin has pitched 54 innings, recording 47 strikeouts in his career. His earned run average is at 2.82 (having allowed 17 earned runs), and his WHIP currently stands at 1.107. With 40 hits given up (averaging 6.6 hits per nine innings) and 20 walks issued, Griffin boasts a career record of 5-1 and a FIP of 2.78 after facing 228 batters.
The Cincinnati Reds have produced 53 home runs this season and driven in 156 runs. They have tallied 56 doubles and drawn 163 walks, contributing to a total of 168 runs. As a team, the Reds possess a .305 on-base percentage and a .220 batting average this season, with a slugging percentage of .379 and an average of 4.00 runs per game (ranked 26th in MLB). They have struck out 388 times (5th in the league) and achieved 308 total hits.
Cincinnati’s pitching staff has a team WHIP of 1.482 and a FIP of 4.94 for the season. They currently rank 24th in the league in total hits allowed, with 361. Over the course of the season, Reds pitchers have surrendered 207 runs, holding a team ERA of 4.65 (194 earned runs allowed). Their K/BB ratio is 7.70 (322 strikeouts against 195 walks) along with 53 home runs and an average of 4.97 runs allowed per 9 innings (24th in MLB).
In 48 save situations, the Reds have amassed 28 holds and suffered 8 blown saves. Their relief pitchers have entered the game 19 times in save scenarios, converting 11 saves. The bullpen has inherited 66 runners, with a scoring rate of 27.3%. They have appeared 53 times in high-leverage situations, ranking 21st in MLB with a save percentage of 57.9%, utilizing a total of 158 relief pitchers this season.
Over 3,378 innings, the Reds have achieved a defensive efficiency of 70.3% (17th in MLB). They have executed 42 double plays, maintaining a fielding percentage of .990 (6th in MLB), along with 364 assists, 15 errors, and a total of 1,126 putouts so far.
Burns, with a career record of 4-4, shows a 3.30 ERA, allowing 7.4 hits per nine innings. His K/BB ratio stands at 3.59 after facing 372 hitters in his MLB career. Burns has given up 33 earned runs, accumulating a WHIP of 1.176 and a FIP of 3.2. In his career thus far, he has allowed 74 hits and recorded 115 strikeouts across 90 innings.
Who will claim victory in tonight’s MLB matchup, whether against the spread or on the moneyline?
Prediction: Back Cincinnati (-196)
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