Nationals vs. Padres: Game 1 prediction, odds, injuries and picks

The Washington Nationals will take on the San Diego Padres on Monday for the first of three games at Petco Park. Heading into the matchup, Washington is fourth in the NL East with a 32-46 record, while San Diego is 42-35 and third in the NL West.

Let's take a look at the odds and how the action might play out.

Nationals vs. Padres prediction

Taking the mound for the Nationals is lefty Mitchell Parker, who has been decent this season. He has a 4-8 record, along with a 4.59 ERA and 58 strikeouts.

Colorado Rockies v Washington Nationals - Source: Getty

Offensively, James Wood, C.J. Abrams, Luis Garcia and Nathaniel Lowe are all enjoying strong seasons for the Nationals.

For the hosts, former reliever Stephen Kolek will start. On paper, he has fared better than his counterpart, with a 3-2 record, along with a 3.59 ERA and 37 strikeouts.

At the plate, Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, Manny Machado and Gavin Sheets lead the way for San Diego.

With the pitching matchup leaning in their favor, the Padres should have enough quality to secure an important win at home.

Prediction: San Diego Padres 5, Washington Nationals 3

Odds

Money line: Washington Nationals +142, San Diego Padres -167

Run line: Washington +1.5 (-147), San Diego -1.5 (+111)

Total runs: Over 7.5 (-156), Under 7.5 (+118)

Injury report

Washington injuries:

Dylan Crews: 10-day IL (Back)
Paul DeJong: 10-day IL (Face)
Orlando Ribalta: 15-day IL (Biceps)
Andrew Chafin: 15-day IL (Hamstring)
Derek Law: 15-day IL (Forearm)
Josiah Gray: 60-day IL (Elbow)
DJ Herz: 60-day IL (Elbow)
Mason Thompson: 60-day IL (Elbow)

San Diego injuries:

Logan Gillaspie: 15-day IL (Oblique)
Michael King: 15-day IL (Shoulder)
Yu Darvish: 60-day IL (Elbow)
Jhony Brito: 60-day IL (Forearm)
Joe Musgrove: 60-day IL (Elbow)

Expert's picks

San Diego Padres has been more consistent than Washington this season. Playing at Petco Park where they are a formidable, the Padres should have no problems securing an important victory.

Money line: San Diego Padres -167

Run line: San Diego -1.5 (+111)

Total runs: Over 7.5 (-156)

About the author

Raghav Mehta is a baseball journalist at Sportskeeda awaiting results for a Bachelor's in Journalism from Delhi University. He enjoys highlighting the key battles between players at different stages of the game and analyzing the decisive moments upon which they hinge.

One of Raghav's favorite moments, which underscores this, was the Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout clash in the 2023 WBC, where two of baseball's best players faced off against each other in the 9th inning. With the score 3-2 to Japan, Shohei eventually got the strikeout, which was absolute cinema.

Raghav is a Baltimore Orioles fan and is enjoying watching such an exciting young team compete at the top in a very competitive division.

Raghav has loved watching sports for as long as he can remember and realized he was pretty decent at writing his thoughts down at around the age of 14. Combining the two meant he had something he would enjoy doing every day, and he had identified that well before going to college.

Aside from work, Raghav enjoys playing sports, working out and watching movies.

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Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez

Nationals vs. Padres: Game 1 prediction, odds, injuries and picks - June 23, 2025