San Diego Padres vs Washington Nationals Picks and Predictions June 25th 2025

San Diego Padres vs Washington Nationals June 25th 2025

The Washington Nationals will visit the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. The game is set for an afternoon start at 4:10 PM. Fans can catch the action on MASN as the teams take the field under clear skies with a mild crosswind.

The Nationals, managed by Dave Martinez, enter the game with a 33-46 record. They have struggled in their division, the NL East, sitting 14 games back. On the other side, the Padres, led by Mike Schildt, hold a 42-36 record. They are 6 games behind in the NL West. The starting pitchers are MacKenzie Gore for the Nationals and Nick Pivetta for the Padres.

Nationals vs Padres Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Washington Nationals vs. San Diego Padres
• Venue: PETCO Park in San Diego, CA
• Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
• Betting Odds: Nationals MoneyLine +124, Padres MoneyLine -147

The Nationals Can Win If…

The Washington Nationals are coming off a strong win against the San Diego Padres, finishing 10-6. James Wood was a standout performer with a home run and four RBIs. CJ Abrams also contributed with three hits and three runs, showcasing their depth in the lineup.

The Nationals have shown they can deliver offensively, ranking 13th in the league for home runs with 83. Their ability to hit doubles, ranking 9th, adds to their scoring potential. With a batting average of .243, they have the capability to get on base and create scoring opportunities.

MacKenzie Gore will take the mound for the Nationals, bringing a solid ERA of 3.19. His consistency can help keep the Padres’ lineup in check. The Nationals’ lineup, featuring players like Nathaniel Lowe and Luis García Jr., has the potential to provide the necessary run support for a win.

The Padres Can Win If…

The San Diego Padres are looking to bounce back after a tough 6-10 loss to the Washington Nationals. Despite the loss, the Padres showed power with three home runs from Fernando Tatis Jr., Jake Cronenworth, and Manny Machado. Machado continues to be a key player, maintaining a .303 batting average and leading the team in home runs and RBIs.

The Padres have a solid chance to win with their strong pitching lineup. Nick Pivetta, their starting pitcher, has a 3.64 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP, making him a reliable option on the mound. The team’s pitching staff ranks 10th in ERA and 4th in batting average against, showing their ability to limit opponents’ scoring.

Offensively, the Padres have depth in their lineup, with players like Jackson Merrill hitting .307 and Gavin Sheets contributing 12 home runs. Their team batting average ranks 9th in the league, showing they can consistently get on base. With strong performances from both their hitters and pitchers, the Padres have the tools to secure a win in their next game.

The Lean

The Padres are favored with a moneyline of -147 against the Nationals at +124. The Padres have a stronger pitching staff, with an ERA of 3.67, ranked 10th, compared to the Nationals’ 5.00 ERA, ranked 27th. My model projects the Padres to win with a score of 5-3, making them the recommended pick for the moneyline.

The over/under line is set at 8.0 runs. The Padres’ pitching strength and the Nationals’ lower batting average of .243 suggest a lower-scoring game. My model projects a total score of 8 runs, aligning with the current line. Therefore, the recommendation is to take the under for this game.

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Pivetta, Padres Look to Win Series Against Gore, Nationals

After managing Tuesday’s game with a playoff-like intensity, the San Diego Padres will look to secure their second consecutive series win on Wednesday afternoon. To do so, their starting pitcher, Nick Pivetta, will have to reverse a long history of personal struggles against the visiting Washington Nationals.

A “Postseason” Game in June

The Padres showed their urgency to win on Tuesday. After starter Ryan Bergert was knocked out of the game early by a line drive, manager Mike Shildt didn’t hesitate to use his top relief arms to chase down a 2-0 deficit and secure a 4-3 victory. The move was necessary due to a heavily taxed bullpen in recent days.

“We knew we had some pen availability,” Shildt said. “We were down two and had a lot of confidence in our offense, so let’s go.”

Pivetta’s Washington Woes

San Diego is hoping for a longer outing from right-hander Nick Pivetta (7-2, 3.64 ERA), but he faces a major hurdle: his career-long struggles against the Nationals. In 13 career appearances against Washington, Pivetta has a dismal 1-7 record with a sky-high 9.42 ERA. Overcoming that history will be his biggest challenge.

Gore’s Own Revenge Game

The Nationals will counter with a pitcher who has his own motivations. Lefty MacKenzie Gore (3-7, 3.19), a former top prospect for the Padres, will be facing his old team. Like Pivetta, Gore has struggled against this specific opponent, posting a 5.52 ERA in three career games against San Diego. This duel between two pitchers looking to exorcise their demons will be a key focus on the scores and odds board.

Banged-Up Nats Battle On

The Nationals are in the middle of a “month to forget,” having gone just 5-17 in June. Their challenge was made tougher on Tuesday when starting catcher Keibert Ruiz was placed on the injured list after a bizarre incident where he was hit by a foul ball in the dugout. “I don’t feel 100 percent,” Ruiz said, noting his health and family come first. How a team deals with a constant stream of adversity is a key topic in our expert betting guide.

As these two MLB teams battle in the rubber match, the focus will be on the starting pitchers. To see who our experts think will overcome their history, check out our daily MLB picks.