The Washington Nationals (31-45) visit the LA Dodgers (47-30) for the second game of their 3-game series on Saturday. First pitch from Dodger Stadium is at 10:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Nationals at Dodgers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Tied 2-2

The Nationals, losers of 12 of their last 13, dropped Friday’s opener 6-5 after snapping an 11-game skid with an 11-inning 4-3 home win vs. the Colorado Rockies Thursday. SP MacKenzie Gore (3-7) lost for the fifth time in his last 6 decisions, allowing 6 runs (5 earned) on 7 hits and 4 walks in 5 2/3 innings. SS CJ Abrams, 2B Amed Rosario and C Riley Adams each hit solo homers in Friday’s defeat.

The Dodgers have won 6 of their last 7 and 9 of their last 12 games. SP Clayton Kershaw won a third consecutive start, something he had not done since April 2023. He went 5 innings, allowing 2 solo homers among 5 hits with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts to improve to 3-0 this season. 3B Miguel Rojas hit his third home run of the season — giving LA a 6-2 lead in the sixth — and finished 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs, while 1B Kiké Hernández (2-for-3) doubled and scored twice.

Nationals at Dodgers projected starters

RHP Jake Irvin vs. RHP Dustin May

Irvin (5-3, 4.23 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.23 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 5.9 K/9 through 89 1/3 innings.

Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K in 6-4 home loss vs. Rockies MondayHas allowed 3+ ER in 4 straight startsCareer vs. Dodgers: 1-2, 4.88 ERA (27 2/3 IP, 15 ER), 1.41 WHIP, 7.5 K/9 in 5 starts2025 vs. Dodgers: 1 home start, no-decision, 6 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 7 K in 6-5 loss April 92025 road splits: 4-2, 4.97 ERA (41 2/3 IP, 23 ER), 1.25 WHIP, 6.0 K/9 in 7 starts

May (4-4, 4.46 ERA) makes his 14th start. He has a 1.33 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 8.3 K/9 through 72 2/3 innings.

Last start: Win, 6 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 4 BB, 3 K in 5-4 home win vs. San Francisco Giants SundayDodgers have gone 4-1 in his last 5 startsCareer vs. Nationals: 1 road start, loss, 6 IP, 1 ER (3 R), 3 H, 3 BB, 1 K in 6-4 setback April 7, 20252025 home splits: 3-1, 3.20 ERA (39 1/3 IP, 14 ER), 1.19 WHIP, 9.2 K/9 in 7 starts

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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 4:54 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Nationals +225 (bet $100 to win $225) | Dodgers -275 (bet $275 to win $100)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Nationals +1.5 (+110) | Dodgers -1.5 (-130)Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)Nationals at Dodgers picks and predictionsPrediction

Dodgers 7, Nationals 4

The Dodgers (-275) are streaking, while the Nationals (+225) have lost 12 of 13 overall. The Dodgers’ 29 home wins are the most in baseball. The Nats are 15-21 on the road and 17-27 against teams with winning records. The Dodgers are 21-10 against teams that are not over .500.

Expect a Dodgers win, but -275 odds are a terrible value. The run line is a much better option.

PASS.

The Nationals covered the +1.5 in the 6-5 loss in the opener but are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games. Twelve of their last 16 losses have been by 2 or more runs.

BET DODGERS -1.5 (-130).

All 4 meetings this season between the Dodgers and Nats have had totals of 10 or more runs.

Three of Washington’s last 5 losses have had double-digit totals.

BET OVER 9.5 (-115).

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