Los Angeles Dodgers vs Washington Nationals Picks and Predictions for Friday April 3 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers travel to face the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington, District of Columbia, with first pitch set for 1:05 PM on April 3, 2026. The game will be broadcast on MLB.TV. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. This matchup features two teams coming off competitive early-season stretches, and it should provide a strong test for both sides as they look to build momentum. Be sure to check out free MLB picks for more insights on today’s action.
Starting Pitchers Overview
The Dodgers are expected to send Emmet Sheehan to the mound, while the Nationals counter with Miles Mikolas. Sheehan enters this game with a 0-0 record, posting a 10.80 ERA and a 2.10 WHIP across 3.1 innings. In that span, he has allowed five hits, struck out six batters, issued two walks, and surrendered one home run. On the other side, Mikolas comes in at 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP over 5.0 innings. He has given up six hits while striking out four and walking three, also allowing one home run. Both pitchers are still settling into the season, making this matchup particularly intriguing.
Dodgers Look to Rebound on the Road
The Los Angeles Dodgers enter this contest with a 4-2 overall record and are beginning their road slate at 0-0 away from home. Over their last five games, they have shown mixed results, recently losing to Cleveland by scores of 4-1 and 4-2, while also picking up wins over Cleveland and Arizona, including a 5-4 victory and a 3-2 result. This stretch reflects a team capable of competing in tight games but still searching for consistency.
Offensively, the Dodgers are hitting .237 as a team with 23 runs and 44 hits, including seven home runs. Their on-base percentage sits at .307 with a .382 slugging percentage. On the pitching side, they have been effective overall, posting a 2.83 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP while limiting opponents to a .190 batting average. They have also recorded 50 strikeouts compared to just 16 walks, showing strong command and the ability to generate swings and misses.
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One key strength for the Dodgers has been their pitching efficiency. With a WHIP under 1.00 and a low opponent batting average, they have consistently limited baserunners and scoring opportunities. This ability to control games from the mound gives them a solid foundation, even when the offense is not at its peak.
Nationals Bring Offensive Momentum Home
The Washington Nationals come into this matchup with a 3-3 overall record and will be playing their first home game of the season. Over their last five outings, they have experienced a mix of highs and lows, recently losing close games to Philadelphia, including a 6-5 extra-inning defeat and a 3-2 loss. However, they also secured a dominant 13-2 win over Philadelphia and a 6-3 victory against Chicago, showing flashes of strong offensive production.
At the plate, the Nationals have been impressive, batting .281 with 38 runs and 61 hits while also hitting seven home runs. Their on-base percentage stands at .344, complemented by a .429 slugging percentage. On the pitching side, they hold a 4.15 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP, allowing opponents to hit .232 against them. They have recorded 41 strikeouts while issuing 23 walks.
The standout aspect for Washington has been their offensive output. With a high team batting average and strong slugging numbers, they have demonstrated the ability to generate runs in bunches. This offensive consistency could play a major role, especially against a pitcher who has struggled early in the season.
Dodgers vs Nationals Picks and Prediction
Dodgers vs Nationals Pick
Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers Moneyline
The Dodgers come into this matchup with a stronger pitching profile overall, highlighted by a 2.83 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. While both starting pitchers have had early struggles, Los Angeles has shown better control in limiting baserunners and suppressing opponent hitting. Even though the Nationals have been productive offensively, the Dodgers’ ability to manage games on the mound gives them a slight edge. Combined with their recent competitive performances, Los Angeles appears to be in a better position to secure the win.
Dodgers vs Nationals Total Pick
Pick: Over
I am leaning toward the over in this matchup based on the early-season performance of both starting pitchers and the Nationals’ offensive production. Washington has been scoring at a high rate with a .281 team average and strong slugging numbers, while Sheehan has allowed multiple baserunners in limited innings. Mikolas has also struggled to limit damage, which could open the door for the Dodgers’ offense to contribute. With both teams capable of producing runs, this game has the potential to go over the total.
Final Score Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers 6 – Washington Nationals 5
This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Thursday.
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