Expert Picks & Props to Target for Nationals vs Guardians on May 27

• The Washington Nationals are +155 underdogs as they seek a sweep of the Cleveland Guardians
• Cleveland starter Gavin Williams boasts an elite 10.90 K/9
• Read below for my Nationals vs Guardians prediction, updated odds and player prop picks

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The visiting Washington Nationals have the brooms out on the road, looking to sweep a 3-game set from the Cleveland Guardians Wednesday afternoon.

The books do like the AL Central-leading Guardians to escape this series with a win, setting them as home favorites in the MLB odds.

First pitch is set for 1:10pm ET from Progressive Field in Cleveland, with MLB TV providing the broadcast coverage.

Nationals vs Guardians Odds

The graphic above shows the best available odds, which are subject to change. Use the BetMGM promo code to wager on Nationals vs Guardians and other MLB action.

The Guardians are pretty hefty -184 favorites on the moneyline at FanDuel, while the Nationals are a distant +158 underdog to win at Caesars. Washington is +1.5 on the runline, with -130 odds to cover at bet365, while Cleveland gets +118 odds to cover as 1.5 run favorites.

The total is set at 8.0 runs, with the Over getting -102 odds at BetMGM.

WAS Nationals vs CLE Guardians Picks

• Best Bet: Guardians -1.5 (+110 at bet365)

Like most matchups, a look at the MLB probable pitchers provides some insight on what we might be in for with this head-to-head on Wednesday afternoon, and in this case, it’s a glaring discrepancy in favor of Cleveland.

They send Gavin Williams to the rubber. He has been dominant through 69.1 innings, recording a 3.25 ERA and overpowering hitters with an elite 10.90 strikeouts per nine innings.

Williams holds a 7-3 record and his 3.33 FIP suggests his run-prevention numbers are completely legitimate, aided by a stingy .220 opponent batting average.

He will need to be sharp: the Nationals have been exceptional when traveling, plating 5.33 runs per game, the third-best mark in baseball for road teams. Washington is hitting the ball with authority, boasting a .250 road batting average.

Washington counters with Miles Mikolas, who has struggled significantly. Mikolas enters with a 1-3 record, a bloated 8.28 ERA, a 1.64 WHIP, and a concerning tendency to yield solid contact.

Cleveland has been somewhat pedestrian at the plate at home, ranking 20th in batting average but this is where Washington’s glaring weakness presents an opportunity. The Nationals rank 30th in Major League Baseball with 5.48 runs allowed per game.

In his last 10 appearances, Mikolas is averaging exactly 4.00 innings per start, meaning the bullpen will likely face a heavy workload early.

Nationals vs Guardians Props

Gavin Williams Over 6.5 Strikeouts (-117 at DraftKings)
Given his phenomenal strikeout rate and .220 opponent batting average, Williams is positioned to fan at least seven batters.

Jose Ramirez Over 1.5 Total Bases (-107 at DraftKings)
Mikolas yields a generous .290 opponent batting average. Ramirez has a highly favorable matchup to record a base hit or extra bases.

James Wood Over 0.5 Total Hits (-158 at DraftKings)
Wood paces the Washington offense with 15 home runs and a .964 OPS. He is the most reliable bat to find a gap today.