The Washington Nationals (31-44) and the LA Dodgers (46-30) open a 3-game series Friday. First pitch from Dodger Stadium is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Nationals vs. Dodgers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Nationals lead 2-1

The Nationals lost 3 of 4 games to the Colorado Rockies in Washington, D.C. They avoided the sweep with a 4-3 win in 11 innings Thursday, cashing as -165 favorites with the Under (10) hitting. In the finale, LF James Wood homered twice — including a game-winning 2-run shot in the 11th inning — to help the Nationals snap their 11-game skid.

The Dodgers are coming off a 3-1 series win over the San Diego Padres in LA, but failed to complete the sweep, falling 5-3 as -246 favorites Thursday with the Under (8.5) cashing. The Dodgers rallied in the bottom of the ninth, scoring 3 runs to cut the deficit to 5-3, but C Dalton Rushing struck out swinging with runners on second and third to end the game.

Nationals at Dodgers projected starters

LHP MacKenzie Gore vs. LHP Clayton Kershaw

Gore (3-6, 2.89 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.15 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and MLB-leading 12.3 K/9 through 87 1/3 innings.

Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 2 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 5 K in 3-1 home defeat vs. Miami Marlins Sunday2025 road stats: 1-2, 3.50 ERA (43 2/3 IP, 17 ER), 1.42 WHIP, 13.0 K/9 in 8 starts2025 vs. Dodgers: 1 home start (April 7), win, 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 6-4 victoryCareer vs. Dodgers: 1-1, 3.32 ERA (21 2/3 IP, 8 ER), 23 H, 9 BB, 18 K in 4 starts

Kershaw (2-0, 3.25 ERA) makes his seventh start. He has a 1.30 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 6.5 K/9 through 27 2/3 innings.

Last start: Win, 7 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 K in 11-5 home victory vs. San Francisco Giants Saturday2025 home stats: 1-0, 4.60 ERA (15 2/3 IP, 8 ER), 14 H, 7 BB, 9 K in 3 startsCareer vs. Nationals (regular season): 13-3, 2.27 ERA (119 IP, 30 ER), 0.92 WHIP, 10.2 K/9 in 18 starts and 1 relief appearance; hasn’t faced them since 2021

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Nationals at Dodgers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:16 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Nationals +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Dodgers -200 (bet $200 to win $100)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Nationals +1.5 (-130) | Dodgers -1.5 (+105)Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)Nationals at Dodgers picks and predictionsPrediction

Dodgers 6, Nationals 4

The Dodgers (-200) are 28-13 at home, while the Nationals are 15-20 on the road. LA will likely win Friday, but it’s not realistic to recommend a bet at this price.

PASS on the ML.

The Dodgers have won each of Kershaw’s last 2 starts by 4 or more runs and have cashed on the -1.5 run line in 3 of their last 6 games overall.

On the other side, the Nationals have dropped 11 of their last 12 games straight up, with 8 of those losses coming by 2 or more runs.

BET DODGERS -1.5 (+105).

The Dodgers have scored 5 or more runs in 7 of their last 11 games, going 7-3-1 to the Over in that span. While Kershaw was impressive in his last outing — allowing just 3 hits in 7 scoreless innings — the Over has still gone 6-0 in his starts this year.

BET OVER 8.5 (-105).

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