The Cincinnati Reds (52-49) visit the Washington Nationals (40-60) Tuesday in the second game of their 3-game series. First pitch from Nationals Park is at 6:45 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Reds vs. Nationals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Nationals lead 3-1

The Reds have lost 2 games in a row, but are 6-3 in their last 9 games. They lost the opener Monday 10-8 as SP Brady Singer couldn’t get out of the third inning (2 1/3 IP, 7 ER, 5H, 2 BB, 1 K). The Reds rallied with a 5-run fourth inning but were never able to catch up. SS Elly De La Cruz walked and scored 3 times, while DH Gavin Lux and 3B Noelvi Marte each had 2 hits and 2 RBIs in the loss.

Nationals RF Daylen Lile went 2-for-4 with a home run and 3 RBIs and 3B Brady House went 3-for-4 with 2 runs scored and a RBI.

Reds at Nationals projected starters

RHP Chase Burns vs. RHP Brad Lord

Burns (0-1, 6.19 ERA) is making his fifth career start. He has a 1.63 WHIP, 5.1 BB/9 and 14.1 K/9 through 16 innings.

Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 10 K in 3-2 home loss to the Colorado Rockies June 11Has ERA of 2.53 (10 2/3 IP, 3 ER) in 2 starts in JulyFacing Nationals for first time2025 road stats: 0-1, 10.80 ERA (5 IP, 6 ER), 2.60 WHIP, 12.6 K in 2 starts

Lord (2-5, 3.46 ERA) is making his seventh start and 36th appearance. He has a 1.25 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 through 65 innings.

First start since May 6 (26 relief appearances since then)Last appearance: No-decision, 2 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K in a 6-5 road loss to the Milwaukee Brewers July 122025 home stats: 0-2, 4.15 ERA (30 1/3 IP, 14 ER), 1.29 WHIP, 8.3 K/9 in 3 starts, 14 relief appearancesFacing Reds for first time

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Reds at National odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:18 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Reds -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Nationals +115 (bet $100 to win $115)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Reds -1.5 (+125) | Nationals +1.5 (-150)Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -102 | U: -118)Reds at Nationals picks and predictionsPrediction

Reds 7, Nationals 3

The Nationals have won consecutive games just once since May. They are 20-30 at home and 20-39 vs. teams with winning records.

The Reds have allowed 3 or fewer runs in 7 of their last 9 games. Burns, after a rough 2 starts to start his MLB career, has been good in July.

The Reds should even the series, but you should take advantage of the plus odds on the run line.

PASS.

The Reds are 4-8 ATS as road favorites, and Nationals are 21-20 ATS as home underdogs. But 7 of the Reds’ last 8 wins have been by 2 or more runs. At the same time, 11 of the Nationals’ last 12 losses have been by multiple runs.

BET REDS -1.5 (+125).

Two of the 4 meetings this season have had totals of 17 or more runs, including Monday’s game.

The Nationals have allowed 6 or more runs in 7 of their last 8 games. Their games have had 9 or more total runs in 17 of their last 19 games.

BET OVER 9 (-102).

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