Nationals vs Reds Odds, Picks, and Predictions (June 3)

• The Nationals vs Reds odds favor Cincinnati as -120 moneyline favorites on Friday (June 3rd, 6:40 pm ET)
• Washington will send Josiah Gray (5-4, 5.08 ERA) to the mound, while Cincy will counter with Mike Minor, who’ll be making his season debut
• Read below for the Nationals vs Reds odds, analysis and betting prediction

The battle of the cellar dwellers continues Friday night in Cincinnati. The Reds, who occupy last place in the NL Central, will take on the Nationals, who reside in the basement of the NL East.

Expectations were low for both of these teams entering the season and they have not disappointed. They have the second and third worst run differentials in the NL and both rank bottom-three in runs scored.

With each underwhelming to such a degree, it must have been difficult for oddsmakers to establish a favorite. Ultimately though, they appear a little less bearish on the home team.

Nationals vs Reds Odds

Odds as of June 2nd at Caesars Sportsbook. See available Caesars promo codes. 

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Cincinnati opened up as -120 moneyline favorites, in a contest that features a total of 9. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 pm ET at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, OH, with clear skies and 75 degree game time temperatures in the forecast.

Washington vs Cincinnati Starting Pitchers

If you’re looking for either one of these teams in the World Series odds, be prepared to scroll to the bottom. They’re both among the sixth longest priced teams, with Cincy occupying the basement.

The Reds will turn to newcomer Mike Minor on Friday, who’ll make his season debut. Minor’s been working back from shoulder problems, and returns to the Bigs after five rehab starts. His latest was by far his best, as he tossed 6 innings of one-run ball for Triple-A Louisville, while striking out nine.

Mike Minor spins an immaculate inning!

The rehabbing @Reds hurler fanned 9 total in 6 IP for the @LouisvilleBats. pic.twitter.com/yhAdEZkPvc

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 28, 2022

Minor posted back-to-back sub-par campaigns in 2020 and 2021, recording a combined record of 9-18, with an ERA north of 5.00. We likely shouldn’t expect more than 80-85 pitches from him, which means we should see plenty of Cincy’s bottom-seven ranked bullpen.

Gray vs Minor (2021)

Washington will counter with Josiah Gray, who’s recorded a decision in nine of his 10 starts. He’s fresh off a solid three hit, one run performance against the Rockies, but his control was once again an issue. Gray walked four batters and surrendered a homer, bringing his base on balls and home run totals to 25 and 13 over just 51 innings.

I’m seeing too much “Josiah Gray isn’t good”

People forget the dude has shown his potential multiple times and he’s only 24. Give it time.

pic.twitter.com/5qxu38E5yL

— Kev (@OnePursuitTakes) May 29, 2022

He’s never faced the Reds in his two-year career, but he has been remarkably better on the road this season. He’s 3-0, with a 2.42 ERA and .171 opponent batting average on the road, compared to 2-4, with a 7.14 ERA and .281 opponent batting average at home.

Nationals vs Reds Betting Analysis

Gray is one of the few Washington pitchers that has received plenty of run support this season, and the Nats will look to continue that trend on Friday. Washington ranks bottom-eight in runs per game and slugging, but it’s not due to a lack of getting on base. The Nats rank top-4 in all of MLB in hits and average. If they can finally start converting with men in scoring position then a few more wins are bound to follow.

Thomas the rake engine.#NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/mpzGkmq6bs

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) May 29, 2022

Cincy on the other hand, ranks bottom-five in average, slugging and OPS, and dead last in hits. Entering Thursday, they’d scored just 15 runs in their last five outings, and were batting .227 versus right-handed pitchers like Gray.

WAS vs CIN Last 10 Meetings

Nationals vs Reds Pick

Without having seen Minor at the Big League level in nine months and given the Reds bullpen and hitting struggles, I certainly don’t mind rolling with the underdog in this matchup.

Gray has been phenomenal away from home while the Washington lineup isn’t as bad as their run production suggests. Over the past week they’re hitting .266 with a slugging percentage and OPS that is 60 and 94 points better respectively than their season averages.

Picks: Washington Nationals Moneyline (+100), Under 9 Runs (+100)