Nationals Seek Fourth Straight Win as Diamondbacks Struggles Mount

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Washington Nationals May 31st 2025

The Nationals will travel to Chase Field to take on the Diamondbacks on Saturday, May 31, 2025. This night game is set to start at 10:10 PM. Fans can expect an interesting matchup as both teams take the field.

Michael Soroka will be on the mound for the Nationals. He has an ERA of 5.61 and a WHIP of 1.21. The Diamondbacks will counter with Brandon Pfaadt, who has an ERA of 3.90 and a WHIP of 1.22.

Nationals vs Diamondbacks Key Information

Sport: Baseball
Teams: Nationals vs. Diamondbacks
Venue: Chase Field
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025
Betting Odds: Nationals +165, Diamondbacks -199

The Nationals Can Win If…

The Washington Nationals recently defeated the Seattle Mariners with a 9-3 score. MacKenzie Gore was impressive, pitching six innings and striking out eight batters without allowing a run. Key hitters like Josh Bell and Luis García Jr. contributed with home runs and multiple RBIs, showcasing their ability to produce runs.

The Nationals have a strong lineup with hitters like CJ Abrams and James Wood leading the charge. Abrams holds a .279 batting average and has hit eight home runs this season. The team’s ability to hit for power is evident with their 58 home runs and 92 doubles, ranking them in the top half of the league.

On the pitching side, the Nationals have shown their strength with 21 quality starts, ranking them eighth in the league. They have also managed to keep home runs allowed in check, ranking 10th with only 55 home runs given up. With Michael Soroka on the mound, the Nationals have a solid chance to perform well against the Diamondbacks.

The Diamondbacks Can Win If…

The Arizona Diamondbacks look to bounce back after a tough 10-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Despite the loss, Josh Naylor had two hits, showing consistency at the plate. Tim Tawa also contributed with a home run, providing a glimpse of the team’s power potential.

The Diamondbacks have strong stats that support their ability to win. They rank first in doubles and fourth in slugging percentage, showing their ability to hit for power. With players like Eugenio Suárez leading the team in home runs, the Diamondbacks have the offensive tools to score runs.

Brandon Pfaadt will start for the Diamondbacks, bringing a 3.90 ERA into the game. His performance could be key against the Nationals, whose starter Michael Soroka has a higher ERA of 5.61. With solid pitching and a lineup that includes top hitters like Geraldo Perdomo and Josh Naylor, the Diamondbacks have a good chance to secure a win.

The Lean

The Arizona Diamondbacks are favored to win with a moneyline of -199 against the Washington Nationals, who are at +165. The Diamondbacks have a stronger hitting lineup, ranking 6th in batting average and 5th in home runs. Given their superior offensive stats, the model projects the Diamondbacks to win 6-4. The recommendation is to pick the Diamondbacks to win straight up.

The over/under line is set at 9.0 with odds of -111 for the over and -109 for the under. Both teams have high ERAs, with the Nationals at 4.98 and the Diamondbacks at 4.73, indicating potential for a high-scoring game. The model projects a total score of 10 runs, so the recommendation is to take the over.

Nationals Eye Fourth Straight Win as Diamondbacks Continue to Struggle

Two teams heading in vastly different directions clash again Saturday as the Washington Nationals continue their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The Nationals claimed a 9-7 win in the series opener, extending their recent surge, while the D-backs continue to unravel in June.

Washington’s victory on Friday marked its third consecutive win and ninth in its last 12 games. Meanwhile, Arizona has now lost eight of its past nine, including three straight.

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James Wood and Josh Bell Power the Nationals

The Nationals are getting timely contributions from both rising stars and veterans. Rookie James Wood homered for the fourth time in six games and now leads the club with 16 long balls on the season. Veteran Josh Bell has also caught fire, going 7-for-14 with home runs in three consecutive games.

“We talked about it in spring: We know we can be an offensive threat,” Bell said. “Right now, it seems like it’s a different person every night… aside from Woody. It seems like it’s every night for him.”

Bell added that he’s seeing the ball better and capitalizing on mistakes — a major shift from his struggles earlier in the season.

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Arizona’s Execution Woes Continue

Despite out-hitting the Nationals 12-11 on Friday, Arizona couldn’t find key outs when needed. It was another frustrating loss for manager Torey Lovullo and a lineup that hasn’t been able to convert on opportunities during this prolonged slump.

“These are very challenging times,” Lovullo admitted. “We’re doing a great job of getting ready to compete, and then the frustration comes when we fail to execute at a very critical time in the game.”

Lovullo shuffled the batting order, elevating Geraldo Perdomo to the No. 3 slot. Perdomo, batting .289 on the year, went 1-for-5 in the loss. The manager defended the decision, citing Perdomo’s consistency and potential to generate more plate appearances.

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Pitching Matchup: Soroka vs. Pfaadt

Saturday’s game will feature a pair of right-handers. Washington’s Michael Soroka (1-3, 5.61 ERA) is still searching for consistency. He pitched six innings of three-run ball in his last outing against San Francisco but took the loss.

Soroka is 0-1 with a 3.93 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) against Arizona. Notably, Josh Naylor is 4-for-6 with a homer off him in past meetings.

Arizona counters with Brandon Pfaadt (7-3, 3.90 ERA), who’s been especially sharp at home. He owns a 4-1 record and 1.78 ERA at Chase Field this year. Pfaadt gave up three runs over 5 2/3 innings in his last start against St. Louis.

Against Washington, Pfaadt has struggled, posting a 5.11 ERA in two career starts. Nathaniel Lowe is 4-for-8 with a home run against him.

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Betting Trends and Handicapper Insights

The Nationals’ recent offensive explosion has caught the attention of bettors and sharp handicappers alike. With Wood emerging as a legitimate power threat and Bell’s bat heating up, Washington presents value, especially against a reeling Arizona squad.

Pfaadt’s strong home numbers offer a potential edge for the D-backs, but Washington’s momentum cannot be ignored. Bettors looking to back the hot hand may find an edge siding with the visitors.

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Arizona Diamondbacks vs Washington Nationals Picks and Predictions May 31st 2025