The Washington Nationals (34-48) and Los Angeles Angels (40-41) play the second game of their 3-game series Saturday. First pitch from Angel Stadium is set for 9:38 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Nationals vs. Angels odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Nationals lead 1-0

The Nationals exploded offensively in a 15-9 win over the Angels Friday night, cashing as +159 road underdogs with the Over (8.5) comfortably hitting. 2B Luis García Jr. and 1B Nathaniel Lowe both went 3-for-6 with 2 RBIs, while OF Jacob Young added a double and 3 RBIs. DH Josh Bell chipped in with a home run and 3 RBIs as Washington set season highs in runs and hits.

The Angels had their 3-game win streak snapped Friday night as SP José Soriano (4 IP, 8 ER, 9 H, 2 BB, 4 K) struggled on the mound. Offensively, OF Jo Adell, 1B Nolan Schanuel and OF Taylor Ward each hit home runs. Seven different Angels recorded multiple hits, contributing to a season-high 19 hits despite the loss.

Nationals at Angels projected starters

RHP Michael Soroka vs. RHP Kyle Hendricks

Soroka (3-5, 5.06 ERA) is making his 11th start. He has a 1.09 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 10.0 K/9 in 53 1/3 innings.

Last start: No-decision, 5 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 10 K in 13-7 road defeat against LA Dodgers Sunday2025 road stats: 2-2, 5.93 ERA (30 1/3 IP, 20 ER), 1.15 WHIP, 9.8 K/9 in 6 startsCareer vs. Angels: 1 relief appearance with Chicago White Sox (Sept. 25, 2024), 2 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 K in 4-3 victory in 10 innings

Hendricks (5-6, 4.83 ERA) is making his 16th start. He has a 1.32 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 6.0 K/9 in 82 innings.

Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 3 ER (5 R), 8 H, 1 BB, 2 K in 8-7 home setback against Houston Astros Sunday2025 home stats: 3-3, 4.20 ERA (40 2/3 IP, 19 ER), 1.15 WHIP, 4.6 K/9 in 7 startsCareer vs. Nationals: 4-3, 3.03 ERA (65 1/3 IP, 22 ER), 1.13 WHIP, 6.3 K/9 in 11 starts; last faced them in 2024

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Nationals at Angels odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:49 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Nationals +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Angels -125 (bet $125 to win $100)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Nationals +1.5 (-220) | Angels -1.5 (+165)Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -105 | U: -115)Nationals at Angels picks and predictionsPrediction

Nationals 6, Angels 5

BET NATIONALS (+105).

Despite some up-and-down stretches this season, the Nationals are in a good spot to pick up another win Saturday. Washington has actually performed better on the road than at home, and with the Angels sitting at .500 in Anaheim, there’s no real home-field edge to worry about.

Soroka looks to be finding his groove again. He’s coming off back-to-back strong outings with 9 and 10 strikeouts, including a 10-K performance against the powerhouse Dodgers lineup — the best offense in baseball at 5.63 runs per game. His recent command and swing-and-miss stuff suggest he’s settling into a rhythm.

Offensively, SS CJ Abrams continues to spark the top of the order. He had 3 more hits in Friday’s win and is batting .373 over the last 15 days, with 3 doubles, 2 home runs and 6 stolen bases. He’s proving to be an elite table-setter and a consistent threat every time he steps to the plate.

Hendricks gets the ball for the Angels, and while he remains a steady veteran presence, he hasn’t beaten the Nationals since 2021 and offers limited upside in his 12th season. With the pitching edge and a red-hot lineup, Washington is the play — especially at plus odds.

PASS.

Just stay away from the run line — no need to play around with it. Take the Nationals on the moneyline and move on.

BET OVER 9 (-105).

I’m backing the Over Saturday after both teams combined for 24 runs in Friday’s opener. The Over has cashed in the last 2 head-to-head matchups between the Nationals and Angels. Washington is 4-2-1 to the Over in its last 7 games, while Los Angeles is 4-2 in its last 6. The Over has also hit in Soroka’s last 2 starts and Hendricks is 3-1-1 to the Over in his last 5.

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