San Diego Padres vs Washington Nationals Picks and Predictions June 23rd 2025

Padres Welcome Back Jackson Merrill, Host Skidding Nationals

Sunday was a day full of good news for the San Diego Padres. They earned their first series victory in two weeks with a dramatic walk-off win, and more importantly, they welcomed back their dynamic star center fielder, Jackson Merrill, to the lineup. Now, the San Diego Padres will look to build on that positive momentum as they open a three-game series on Monday night against the visiting and spiraling Washington Nationals.

The Return of Jackson Merrill

For the Padres, seeing Jackson Merrill back on the field is a massive boost. The star outfielder has had a frustrating season, with two separate stints on the injured list (hamstring and concussion) limiting him to just 44 games. But when healthy, he is one of the team’s most important offensive catalysts. He wasted no time making an impact in his return on Sunday, doubling to start a key two-run rally in the seventh inning. He was also robbed of a potential go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth when a Royals outfielder made a spectacular leaping catch at the wall. After a tough week on the concussion list, Merrill was just happy to be back in the fight.

“I like to be active all the time,” Merrill said. “Slow was tough but I’m back. I’m ready to go and I’m excited.” His return provides a much-needed spark to a lineup that has struggled to produce runs consistently.

Shildt’s Optimism Pays Off

The weekend series win was a validation of manager Mike Shildt’s relentlessly positive approach. Just a few days ago, with his team mired in a 2-7 slump, Shildt boldly predicted that his club was on the verge of reeling off a long streak of series victories. His belief in his players never wavered, even when the results weren’t there. Saturday’s clean 5-1 win followed by Sunday’s gritty, come-from-behind walk-off victory, where Jose Iglesias delivered the key hits, showed a team that is responding to their manager’s message. “You know things are challenging but if you keep doing things the right way, you’re going to give yourself the best chance to shake hands at the end,” a proud Shildt said.

Washington’s Woes Continue

While the Padres are feeling good, the Nationals arrive in San Diego in a complete freefall. Their 13-7 loss to the Dodgers on Sunday was their 11th consecutive defeat and their 13th loss in their last 15 games. Their offense has been the primary culprit, unable to keep pace with opponents. Manager Dave Martinez, however, insists his team is not giving up. “There’s a lot of fight in this group,” Martinez said. “That’s what I like about them. We’ve got to focus on tomorrow night.” The psychology of trying to snap a long losing streak is one of the toughest challenges in sports, a topic often explored in our expert betting guide.

The Soto Trade Returns to San Diego

This series will have an extra layer of meaning for two of Washington’s key young players. Outfielder James Wood and shortstop CJ Abrams were the centerpieces of the blockbuster trade that sent superstar Juan Soto from Washington to San Diego. Their return to Petco Park is a chance to perform on their old stomping grounds and show the Padres’ front office the talent they sent away. Wood, in particular, has been a force, with a team-best 21 home runs, including three in his last three games.

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A Pitching Matchup of Opposites

Monday night’s pitching matchup features two arms with very different histories against their opponents. The Padres will start right-hander Stephen Kolek (3-2, 3.59 ERA), who has been a steady presence in their rotation. He is coming off a quality start against the powerful Dodgers and will be making his first career start against Washington.

The Nationals will counter with lefty Mitchell Parker (4-8, 4.59 ERA). Parker was excellent in his last start, allowing just one run over six innings with eight strikeouts against the Rockies. However, he will be looking for redemption against San Diego. In his only career outing against the Padres last year, he was shelled for six runs in just three innings. This stark contrast in career histories will be a key focus on the scores and odds board.

As these two National League MLB teams begin their series, one is looking to build on positive momentum while the other is desperate to stop the bleeding. To see who our experts think will win the opener, check out our daily MLB picks.