The Washington Nationals will attempt to secure the series win against the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers when the teams return to the playing field at Nationals Park on Tuesday night. The Nats took the series opener 6-4 behind another solid pitching performance from Mackenzie Gore and a clutch hit off the bat of James Wood.Due to injuries within both starting rotations, the second game of the series will pit Justin Wrobleski up against Brad Lord, with each pitcher making their first starts of the 2025 season.Dodgers vs. Nationals recent form and recordsLos AngelesThe defending champs are in the midst of a rut. Since rattling off eight straight wins, the Dodgers have gone down in defeat in three of their last four games, which includes a series loss to the Phillies.With it going off the board favored to win all 12 games, the 9-3 record only finds LA $284 in the black for MLB bettors backing them with $100-per-bet. The over has paid out at a 7-5 clip with the offense averaging 5.08 runs per game.WashingtonThe Nationals got out to a tough start, managing only one win through their first seven games. But after dropping the series opener at home to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Dave Martinez's troops battled back to take the next two games to win the series and just got the leg up on the Dodgers in Game 1.Washington's 4-6 overall record finds the team $51 in the red overall, with the Over/Under split down the middle.InjuriesLos AngelesBlake Snell SP 15 Day IL - ShoulderFreddie Freeman 1B 10 Day IL - AnkleKyle Hurt SP 60 Day IL - ElbowEmmet Sheehan SP 60 Day IL - ElbowClayton Kershaw SP 60 Day IL - ToeMichael Grove RP 60 Day IL - ShoulderEdgardo Henriquez SP 15 Day IL - FootEvan Phillips RP 15 Day IL - ShoulderMichael Kopech RP 15 Day IL - ShoulderTony Gonsolin SP 15 Day IL - BackBrusdar Graterol RP 60 Day IL - ShoulderRiver Ryan SP 60 Day IL - ElbowGavin Stone SP 60 Day IL - ShoulderWashingtonCJ Abrams SS Day To Day - ThighAndres Chaparro 1B 10 Day IL - ObliqueMichael Soroka RP 15 Day IL - BicepsCade Cavalli SP 15 Day IL - ElbowDerek Law RP 15 Day IL - ForearmZach Brzykcy RP 15 Day IL - QuadDJ Herz SP 60 Day IL - ElbowMason Thompson RP 60 Day IL - ElbowJosiah Gray SP 60 Day IL - ElbowStarting PitchersJustin Wrobleski (1-2, 5.70 ERA in 2024)Wrobleski allowed 34 hits (9 HR) and 23 ER with a 26:16 K/BB ratio in six 2025 starts.Brad Lord (0-0, 4.50 ERA in 2025)Lord has allowed 3 hits (0 HR) and 1 ER with a 0:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in three appearances out of the bullpen in 2025.Must-Watch HittersDodgersFresh off putting on a show with three hits, which included his fourth home run of the season, Shohei Ohtani is a bat that once again deserves to be targeted in the DK player prop markets. He's crushed right-handed pitching, slashing .318/.531/.773/1.304 with three home runs and three RBIs. He's also taken 10 walks through 22 overall at-bats.NationalsWashington has been middle of the road offensively in averaging 4.00 runs per game (#15) while batting .231 (#17). It has, however, been able to hit the long ball (#6), and hits a tad better against left-handed pitching.Wrobleski served up nine long balls over 36.1 innings last season, so that puts CJ Abrams' bat in play should the shortstop return to the lineup after sitting out last night's game due to a thigh injury. He's raked against LHP to date and is worth a beer money stab to go yard at 6/1 odds.Dodgers vs. Mets Betting OddsTuesday 4/8Money LineRun LineTotal RunsLos Angeles Dodgers-175-1.5 -110O 9 -105Washington Nationals+145+1.5 -110U 9 -115Dodgers vs. Nationals expert picks and game predictionMany will likely be quick to bank on runs hitting the board in the second game of this series with a pair of young, wide-eyed pitchers toeing the bump for their respective teams.However, it's going to be cold in DC on Tuesday night with temps expected in the low 40s and winds going left to right at 12 mph. The match will be lower scoring because of it, which puts backing the Nats run-line at DraftKings Sportsbook on the radar.Dodgers vs. Nationals Prediction: Los Angeles Wins 4-3