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Washington Nationals vs San Diego Padres July 20th 2025
The San Diego Padres will take on the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, July 20, 2025. The game is set for 1:35 PM and will be televised on MASN. Fans can expect a very hot afternoon with a light breeze and some light rain.
The Padres, managed by Mike Schildt, hold a season record of 53-45. They are 5 games back in the NL West. Nick Pivetta will start for the Padres with an ERA of 2.88. The Nationals, led by interim manager Miguel Cairo, have a record of 39-59. MacKenzie Gore will start for the Nationals with an ERA of 3.02.
Padres vs Nationals Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: San Diego Padres vs. Washington Nationals
- Venue: Nationals Park in Washington, DC
- Date: Sunday, July 20, 2025
- Betting Odds: Padres Moneyline -116, Nationals Moneyline -102
The Padres Can Win If…
The San Diego Padres are coming off a recent game against the Washington Nationals where they lost 2-4. Despite the loss, Jose Iglesias and Martín Maldonado had solid performances, each contributing with hits and runs. The Padres showed promise with six hits, but they will need to capitalize more on their opportunities in the next game.
The Padres have a strong pitching lineup, with Nick Pivetta leading the charge. Pivetta boasts a 2.88 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP, making him a key player for the Padres. His impressive 9-2 record suggests he can keep the Nationals’ hitters in check.
San Diego’s batting lineup includes players like Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr., who have been consistent performers. Machado leads the team with 18 home runs and a .287 batting average. With a solid mix of power and contact hitting, the Padres have the tools to secure a win in the upcoming game.
The Nationals Can Win If…
The Washington Nationals recently won against the San Diego Padres, 4-2. Mitchell Parker pitched six innings, allowing only two runs and striking out four. Nathaniel Lowe hit a home run, contributing to the team’s offense.
The Nationals have a solid lineup with CJ Abrams leading in batting average at .287. Nathaniel Lowe is a key power hitter with 15 home runs. The team’s ability to hit doubles ranks 11th in the league, showing their potential for extra-base hits.
MacKenzie Gore will start for the Nationals with an ERA of 3.02. The team ranks 10th in quality starts, indicating strong starting pitching. With players like James Wood, who has 24 home runs, the Nationals have the power to challenge any opponent.
MacKenzie Gore Looks for Redemption as Nationals Host Padres in Series Finale
Washington Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore will get another chance to beat the team that drafted him, as he faces the San Diego Padres for the second time in less than a month in Sunday’s rubber match at Nationals Park.
Gore (4-8, 3.02 ERA), an All-Star this season, was sharp in his last outing against San Diego, allowing just one run over six innings on June 25. But the Nationals lost that 1-0 battle to Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta, who will again take the mound in this rematch.
From Padres Prospect to Nationals Ace
Drafted third overall by San Diego in 2017, Gore was once the Padres’ top prospect before being sent to Washington in the blockbuster Juan Soto trade in 2022. Since the deal, Gore, shortstop CJ Abrams, and outfielder James Wood — all acquired in the trade — have become All-Stars for the Nationals.
Gore made a strong showing in the MLB All-Star Game earlier this week, retiring all three batters he faced. He followed that with another solid outing before the break, allowing just one run across six innings in a win over St. Louis.
Pivetta Eyes Career-High Win Total
Pivetta (9-2, 2.88 ERA) has been dominant of late, entering Sunday with a 0.36 ERA over his last four starts, including a 10-strikeout gem in the previous meeting with Washington. He’s looking to tie his career high in wins, having recorded 10 in both 2022 and 2023 with Boston.
However, his career numbers vs. the Nationals suggest vulnerability — he’s just 2-7 with an 8.10 ERA in 14 appearances (11 starts) against Washington.
Bats Stay Quiet as Series Hangs in the Balance
The Nationals and Padres have split the first two games, with San Diego winning the opener 7-2 and Washington bouncing back for a 4-2 victory on Saturday. The teams combined for just 12 total hits in that contest, but Washington’s bullpen stood out.
Closer Kyle Finnegan, who had been shelled in his previous two appearances (eight earned runs over two outs), bounced back with a clean ninth for his 19th save of the season — and his first since June 6.
“Any pitcher will tell you: After a bad one, you don’t want to stew on it for too long,” Finnegan said. “I was excited for the opportunity to do that.”
The Lean
The Padres are favored with a moneyline of -116 against the Nationals, who have a moneyline of -102. The Padres have a stronger pitching staff, ranking 7th in ERA and 3rd in batting average against. My model projects the Padres to win 5-3, making them a solid pick for this game.
The total for the game is set at 8.0 with the over at -112 and the under at -108. Given the Nationals’ high ERA of 5.19 and the Padres’ solid pitching, my model projects a total of 8 runs. This suggests taking the under as a reasonable choice.
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Lineups in Flux as Familiar Faces Face Off
San Diego stars Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts have each homered off Gore in the past, but hitters like Fernando Tatis Jr. (1-for-7) and Jackson Merrill (0-for-6) have struggled. Meanwhile, Luis Arraez and Jose Iglesias were the only Padres with multiple hits in Saturday’s game.
The Nationals hope for continued power from Nathaniel Lowe, who clubbed his 15th home run of the season Saturday, helping to support Gore as he looks to help his current club win a series against his former one.
