Washington Nationals vs Cincinnati Reds Picks and Predictions July 21st 2025

Washington Nationals vs Cincinnati Reds July 21st 2025

The Cincinnati Reds travel to Nationals Park to take on the Washington Nationals on Monday, July 21, 2025. The game is set for a 6:45 PM start under the lights. Fans can catch the action on MASN. The weather forecast predicts a warm evening with a light breeze and broken clouds.

Leading the Reds is manager Terry Francona. The team holds a record of 52-48, sitting 7 games back in the NL Central. On the mound, Brady Singer will start with a 4.32 ERA. The Nationals, managed by interim Miguel Cairo, have a 39-60 record and are 17 games back in the NL East. Jake Irvin will start for the Nationals, sporting a 4.58 ERA.

Reds vs Nationals Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Cincinnati Reds vs. Washington Nationals
• Venue: Nationals Park in Washington, DC
• Date: Monday, July 21, 2025
• Betting Odds: Reds Moneyline -136, Nationals Moneyline +115

The Reds Can Win If…

The Cincinnati Reds are coming off a narrow 3-2 loss against the New York Mets. Despite the loss, Andrew Abbott pitched well, allowing only two earned runs over six innings. Elly De La Cruz drove in one of the runs, showing his ability to contribute in key moments.

The Reds have been strong in recent games, winning four of their last five. Their pitching has been solid, with a team ERA of 3.87, ranking 13th in the league. They also have a good record in quality starts, ranking 5th, which shows their ability to keep games close.

Elly De La Cruz is a key player for the Reds, with 18 home runs and a .281 batting average. His performance, along with contributions from players like Matt McLain and Spencer Steer, can lead the Reds to victory. With Brady Singer on the mound, the Reds have a solid chance to win against the Washington Nationals.

The Nationals Can Win If…

The Washington Nationals aim to bounce back after their 8-1 loss to the San Diego Padres. In that game, Riley Adams hit a solo home run, while Paul DeJong and Luis García Jr. contributed with two hits each. Despite the loss, the Nationals showed they can produce runs and will look to carry that into the next game.

Washington’s batting lineup has been solid, with a team batting average of .244, ranking 13th in the league. Their ability to hit doubles stands out, as they rank 10th with 158 doubles this season. This capability to get on base and advance runners can be a key factor in their success against the Cincinnati Reds.

Jake Irvin will take the mound for the Nationals, bringing a 4.58 ERA and a 7-5 record. Irvin has shown he can keep games close, which gives the Nationals a chance to win. With a home crowd behind them and a strong lineup, Washington has the tools to secure a victory.

The Lean

The Reds are favored with a moneyline of -136. They have a stronger pitching staff with a 3.87 ERA, ranked 13th, compared to the Nationals’ 5.22 ERA, ranked 28th. The model projects the Reds to win with a score of 5-4, making them the recommended pick for this game.

The total for the game is set at 9.0 runs. The Reds have a batting average of .246, ranked 12th, while the Nationals have a .244 average, ranked 13th. Given the pitching and hitting stats, the model projects a total of 9 runs, suggesting a push on the over/under line. However, with a slight lean towards the under, the recommendation is to take the under 9.0 at -119.

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Reds and Nationals Aim to Rebound in Series Opener

The Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals both look to shake off weekend losses when they open a three-game series Monday night at Nationals Park. Cincinnati continues its six-game road trip with playoff hopes still alive, while Washington seeks to halt its slide after losing six of its last seven.

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Reds Focused on Staying in the Wild-Card Race

Cincinnati (currently trailing the NL Central leaders by 7.5 games) is still firmly in the wild-card hunt despite a tough 3-2 loss to the Mets on Sunday that ended their four-game winning streak. They rallied late to tie the game 2-2 in the eighth inning but couldn’t hold off New York in the bottom half.

Elly De La Cruz delivered an RBI single, while Noelvi Marte made his first MLB start in the outfield, drawing praise for his defensive instincts.

“He came in on the ball and it was a very good throw,” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “Kept it down, one hop. He’s OK. He’s going to be fine.”

Cincinnati sends Brady Singer (7-7, 4.32 ERA) to the mound. In his last outing, he struck out nine and allowed three runs over 6 1/3 innings against Colorado in a no-decision. It was his longest outing since May.

“We know where we are and what we have to do after this break,” Singer said. “I trust a lot in this team and the fight we’re showing. We’re gonna fight and claw in the second half.”

Singer has faced the Nationals once before, giving up two runs over five innings in a no-decision while pitching for Kansas City in 2023.

Looking to back Singer on the road? See our latest MLB Predictions and Picks for sharp betting angles.

Nationals Trying to End Skid

Washington fell behind 5-0 in the first inning on Sunday and never recovered, losing 8-1 to San Diego. All-Star starter MacKenzie Gore was tagged for five runs in the opening frame, and the Nationals’ offense managed just six hits, including a solo homer by Riley Adams.

James Wood snapped an 0-for-20 slump with a single in the sixth inning but kept the right perspective despite the struggles.

“It’s just baseball,” the 22-year-old All-Star said. “It can’t be rainbows and sunshine all the time. It happens. You’ve just got to work your way out of it.”

Washington will turn to Jake Irvin (7-5, 4.58 ERA), who allowed three unearned runs over five innings in his last outing against the Brewers. He’s 0-1 with a 4.43 ERA in four career starts against the Reds.

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With both teams needing a reset, Monday’s opener could set the tone for the series. Can the Reds keep their playoff push alive, or will the Nationals snap their skid at home? Get the latest trends and best bets with our updated MLB Picks and Analysis.