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The Washington Nationals will celebrate their home opener as they host the Los Angeles Dodgers for the start of a weekend series this afternoon.
Los Angeles hasn’t gotten off to a quick start offensively, and that has me targeting the Under in my Dodgers vs. Nationals predictions below.
Read on to see my full analysis and free MLB picks for Friday, April 3.
Who will win Dodgers vs Nationals today: Nationals +1.5 (+150)
The Los Angeles Dodgers offense is off to a surprisingly slow start this year. After an eight-run outburst in its opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles has seen its production slow down, averaging 3.83 runs over its ensuing five games.
While the Washington Nationals lost two of three in Philadelphia this week, both were by just one run apiece.
Washington’s offense is averaging 6.33 runs per game on a .773 OPS so far this season, and should get to Emmet Sheehan, who was shaky in his first start, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks in just 3 1/3 innings.
COVERS INTEL: The Dodgers played to totals of nine runs or less in each of Sheehan’s last five starts in 2025, as well as in his first start this season.Dodgers vs Nationals Over/Under pick: Under 9.5 (+100)
Coinciding with their offensive struggles, the Dodgers have hit the Under in four straight and have only gone Over 9.5 runs once this season. In fact, each of their last four games has finished with six runs or fewer.
Veteran Miles Mikolas has now allowed four earned runs or less in each of his last 10 starts dating back to last season, so while he may seem like a shaky option, he rarely gets hit hard enough to justify a big total. With the total this high, I’m playing the Under.
- ML/RL bets: 3-1, +1.97 units
- Over/Under bets: 0-2, -2 units
Dodgers vs Nationals odds
- Moneyline: Los Angeles -290 | Washington +235
- Run line: Los Angeles -1.5 (-166) | Washington +1.5 (+138)
- Over/Under: Over 9.5 (-112) | Under 9.5 (-108)
Dodgers vs Nationals trend
The Under is 4-0 in Los Angeles’ last four games. Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Nationals.
How to watch Dodgers vs Nationals and game info
| Location | Nationals Park, Washington, D.C. |
| Date | Friday, April 3, 2026 |
| First pitch | 1:05 p.m. ET |
| TV | SportsNet LA, Nationals TV |
| Dodgers starting pitcher | Emmet Sheehan (0-0, 10.80 ERA) |
| Nationals starting pitcher | Miles Mikolas (0-1, 7.20 ERA) |
Dodgers vs Nationals latest injuries
Dodgers vs Nationals weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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