Los Angeles Dodgers vs Washington Nationals Picks and Predictions June 22nd 2025

Ohtani’s Second Start Headlines Rubber Match as Nationals’ Power Surges

The first inning at Dodger Stadium on Sunday afternoon will carry the weight and anticipation of a playoff game. Global superstar Shohei Ohtani is set to make his second start on the mound in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform, a momentous occasion for baseball. He and his team will look to win a rubber match against the visiting Washington Nationals, a team that is suddenly feeling very confident after a stunning power display on Saturday that evened the series.

The Ohtani Experiment, Part Two

The baseball world watched with bated breath last Monday as Ohtani threw his first competitive pitches in nearly two years. The one-inning appearance against the Padres was a bit rocky—he allowed a run on two hits and needed 28 pitches to get three outs—but it was a monumental step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Now, the Dodgers are ready to take the next step. The plan for Sunday is for Ohtani to extend to a potential two-inning outing, another carefully managed milestone in his return to two-way stardom. The right-hander admitted the return to the mound brought a different level of anxiety.

“Definitely a little bit more (nervous) than when I was solely a position player,” Ohtani said through an interpreter after his debut. That unique pressure is something few athletes have ever experienced. Ohtani’s only career start against the Nationals was a gem back in 2023, where he threw seven scoreless innings for the Angels. While the Dodgers won’t get that kind of length, even two innings from an arm like his is a massive boost for a pitching staff that has been decimated by injuries this season.

Washington’s Power Wakes Up

While the Dodgers are celebrating the return of their ace, the Nationals are celebrating the return of their power stroke. After struggling to score runs for much of the season, Washington’s offense exploded in Saturday’s 7-3 victory, launching five home runs against Dodgers pitching. The outburst was led by Nathaniel Lowe, who hit two homers for the sixth multi-homer game of his career. He was joined by the team’s exciting young core, as James Wood blasted a 451-foot shot for his team-leading 21st of the season, and CJ Abrams and Luis Garcia Jr. also went deep.

For a young, rebuilding team, a performance like this is a massive confidence builder. “Those guys are good young players, playing really well, and to watch them hit like that is special,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “I always talk about the core of what we’re trying to do here, and when they do the things they can do, it uplifts our team.”

The Dodgers’ Slumping Superstars

The Nationals’ power surge on Saturday came at the expense of a Dodgers lineup that has suddenly gone quiet. The formidable MVP trio at the top of the order—Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman—went a combined 1-for-12 with six strikeouts in the loss. It’s been a frustrating few weeks for an offense that is expected to be one of the best among all MLB teams. Freeman, however, insists the team is not panicking.

“It’s been a little bit of a grind for us the last few weeks, but I think we all believe in ourselves,” Freeman said. “It’s obviously a little frustrating, but we’ll get going.” The psychological element of a team-wide slump, even for a first-place club, is a fascinating topic explored in our expert betting guide.

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Soroka’s Challenge

The task of keeping the Dodgers’ bats quiet falls to Nationals right-hander Michael Soroka (3-5, 5.06 ERA). Soroka will be making his first career appearance in Los Angeles, but he won’t be intimidated by the opponent. In two career starts against the Dodgers, he has an excellent 2.79 ERA. He is also coming off a strong individual performance against the Rockies where he tied his career high with nine strikeouts. A solid outing against this Dodgers lineup would be another huge step forward for the veteran pitcher.

The Deciding Game Stakes

Sunday’s finale is packed with compelling storylines. The main event is undoubtedly Ohtani’s second turn on the mound. But the backdrop is a high-stakes rubber match. The Dodgers want to avoid losing a series at home to a last-place team, while the Nationals have a chance to secure a massive, confidence-building series win on the road. The pitching matchup between the living legend Ohtani and the steady Soroka will be a key focus on the scores and odds board. To see who our experts think will win this exciting finale, check out our daily MLB picks.