Nationals vs Dodgers Prediction 4 April 2026
📡 Washington continue their home series against the reigning champions after a grueling first game. Heading into the second matchup, the Nationals hold a 3-4 record, while the Dodgers stand at 5-2. The starting pitchers have been officially confirmed: Jake Irvin versus Tyler Glasnow. On paper, the favorite seems clear, but this particular pitching matchup adds a layer of intrigue that wasn't present on Friday.
Head-to-Head
📊 In their last ten head-to-head matchups, the Dodgers have claimed victory seven times. The totals show a clear trend towards the over, with eight games going over and only two under. The latest encounter fully supported this pattern, as Los Angeles took the first game of the series with a score of 13-6.
Head-to-head statistics Nationals - Dodgers

Washington Nationals Team Overview
On one hand, the 6-13 loss appears heavy. On the other, Washington at least demonstrated they can challenge a favorite when given the chance. In the first game of the series, the hosts took an early lead in the first inning (3-0), with C.J. Abrams hitting a home run and collecting 4 RBIs. The problem was that after this explosive start, the team couldn't sustain the pressure and faltered in the middle of the game. This marks the third consecutive defeat for the Nationals, but their style of play suggests they're not hopeless: there are standout segments, and the question remains whether Washington can extend these into larger portions of the game.
Match Results: Washington Nationals

Los Angeles Dodgers Team Overview
Los Angeles, on the other hand, once again demonstrated why they are so hard to stop, even when the opponent starts strong. On Friday, the Dodgers responded to an early setback with five runs in the third inning, ultimately scoring 13. Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Kyle Tucker, and Andy Pages combined for five home runs, showcasing an offense that was deep and not reliant on just one or two players. Before this series, the team had lost to Cleveland, so this response on the road was timely.
Match Results: Los Angeles Dodgers
⚾️ Starting Pitchers
For Washington, Jake Irvin takes the mound. According to the official MLB stats, he holds a 1-0 record, 3.60 ERA, and 7 strikeouts. Reuters noted back in late March that Jake Irvin pitched five innings against the Cubs, striking out seven and helping Washington secure a 6-3 victory. This is crucial for the hosts, as Jake Irvin currently appears to be the starting pitcher capable of slowing down the visitors' formidable lineup, at least temporarily.
For the Dodgers, Tyler Glasnow will be on the hill. MLB data shows him with a 0-0 record, 3.00 ERA, and 6 strikeouts. Reuters reported that in his season debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tyler Glasnow delivered six strong innings, leading Los Angeles to a win in their opening series. We believe this gives the visitors a significant tactical advantage: unlike Friday's game, this time the Dodgers have a more reliable and consistent starter who can set the right pace for the match from the outset.
Editor's Prediction
Yes, Washington are at home and have already shown they can take the early lead even against tough opposition. However, we believe the initial matchup now leans more favorably towards the visitors. Tyler Glasnow currently appears to be a more reliable anchor, and Los Angeles have numerous ways to capitalize if their opponent slips up in even one inning. We wouldn't expect another high-scoring affair; the second game of a series often tends to be more cautious, especially when the home team has already felt the strength of the opposing offense. Therefore, a reasonable choice here is Dodgers to win with a -1.5 spread.