Padres vs. Nationals Prediction, Computer Picks, Odds & Pitching Matchup 8/20/2022

Manny Machado will look to extend his 11-game hitting streak when the San Diego Padres (66-56) take on the Washington Nationals (41-80). The Padres are listed as -338 favorites on the moneyline for the contest, which starts at 8:40 PM ET on Saturday, live from PETCO Park. San Diego’s Joe Musgrove and Washington’s Josiah Gray have been named the starters for this contest.

Padres vs. Nationals Spread and Betting Line

Computer Predictions for Padres vs. Nationals

After taking a look at all of the key trends and stats for this matchup, our best bet is the Nationals on the moneyline at +264. Our computer picks see the scoring going over the total of 7.5 runs.

Our computer pick: Washington Nationals (+264) and Over (7.5)

Padres vs. Nationals Game Info

• San Diego Padres probable starting pitcher: Joe Musgrove
• Washington Nationals probable starting pitcher: Josiah Gray
• Game Day: Saturday, August 20, 2022
• Game Time: 8:40 PM ET
• Location: San Diego, California
• Stadium: PETCO Park

San Diego Padres vs Washington Nationals Pitching Matchup

Padres Starter Joe Musgrove

• Musgrove (8-6) takes the mound for the Padres in his 22nd start of the season. He has a 2.98 ERA in 133 innings pitched, with 129 strikeouts.
• His most recent appearance came on Monday against the Miami Marlins, when the right-hander went 6 2/3 innings, surrendering three earned runs while allowing eight hits.
• The 29-year-old has amassed an ERA of 2.98, with 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings, in 21 games this season. Opponents have a .222 batting average against him.
• Musgrove is aiming to claim his third straight quality start in this matchup.
• Musgrove will try to build upon a three-game streak of lasting five or more innings (he’s averaging 6.1 innings per outing).
• He meets a Nationals offense that ranks 25th in the league with 459 runs while batting .248 as a squad. It has a collective .375 slugging percentage (25th in MLB action) and has hit a total of 100 home runs (28th in MLB).
• The 29-year-old’s 2.98 ERA ranks 18th, 1.030 WHIP ranks 15th, and 8.7 K/9 ranks 25th among qualifying pitchers this season.

Nationals Starter Josiah Gray

• The Nationals’ Gray (7-8) will make his 23rd start of the season.
• The right-hander last pitched on Monday, when he gave up three earned runs and allowed five hits in 6 2/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs.
• The 24-year-old has pitched to a 4.79 ERA this season with 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings compared to 3.7 walks per nine across 22 games.
• He’s looking to extend his two-game quality start streak.
• Gray has pitched five or more innings in two straight games and will look to extend that streak.
• The Padres rank 16th in MLB with a .241 batting average this season. They have a team slugging percentage that ranks 21st in the league (.379) and 107 home runs.

Padres Betting Picks & Insights

• The Padres have been favorites in 89 games this season and won 49 (55.1%) of those contests.
• San Diego has played as a favorite of -338 or more twice this season and lost both games.
• Oddsmakers have implied with the moneyline set for this matchup that the Padres have a 77.2% chance to win.
• Games involving San Diego have gone over the total set by bookmakers in 58 of 123 chances this season.
• The Padres are 55-68-0 ATS in their 123 games with a spread this season.

Nationals Betting Picks & Insights

• The Nationals have won in 34, or 32.4%, of the 105 contests they have been named as odds-on underdogs in this year.
• Washington has not lost in four games this year when given odds of +264 or worse on the moneyline.
• Oddsmakers have implied with the moneyline set for this matchup that the Nationals have a 27.5% chance of pulling out a win.
• Washington and their opponents have hit the over in 60 of their 121 games with a total set by oddsmakers this season.
• In 121 games with a line this season, the Nationals have a mark of 52-69-0 against the spread.

Padres Leaders & Batting Stats

• Juan Soto is batting .251 with 20 doubles, two triples, 22 home runs and 107 walks.
• Including all MLB hitters, Soto is 84th in batting average, second in on-base percentage, and 27th in slugging.
• Machado’s 76 runs batted in and .304 batting average both pace his team.
• Machado ranks 26th in home runs and 13th in RBI on the season.
• Machado carries an 11-game streak with at least one hit into this contest. During his last 10 games he is batting .442 with eight doubles, three home runs, four walks and 16 RBI.
• Josh Bell is batting .277 with 26 doubles, three triples, 14 home runs and 59 walks.
• Brandon Drury has shown off his power as he paces his team with 23 home runs.

Nationals Leaders & Batting Stats

• Nelson Cruz has driven in a team-leading 59 runs batted in.
• Cruz is 151st in homers and 41st in RBI among all hitters in the big leagues.
• Cesar Hernandez is batting .247 to lead the lineup.
• Hernandez ranks 402nd in homers and 231st in RBI among all major league hitters this season.
• Keibert Ruiz has 19 doubles, six home runs and 27 walks while hitting .246.
• Luke Voit has collected a team-high 16 home runs.