Washington Nationals vs Miami Marlins Picks and Prediction for Saturday, August 22, 2026

The Washington Nationals visit the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on Saturday, with the game starting at 4:10 PM ET. Washington is 61-68 and fourth in the NL East after a 2-0 loss to Texas. The Nationals have lost four of their last five and are seven games behind the final NL Wild Card position. Miami is 64-64 and third in the NL East after a 4-1 loss to Philadelphia, its third straight defeat. The Marlins are four games behind the final Wild Card spot. Cash in a winner with our free MLB picks.

Washington Nationals Need to Rediscover Their Scoring

Washington has struggled badly at the plate recently, getting shut out in three of its last five games. The Nationals have scored only seven runs over that span, with six coming in a single victory against Texas. Season-long production has been much better, as Washington ranks sixth in MLB batting with a .251 average while producing 182 home runs. CJ Abrams is batting .279 with 29 homers, 91 RBI and 24 stolen bases, while Luis Garcia Jr. has 23 home runs and 76 RBI.

The Nationals have produced 676 runs with a .326 on-base percentage and .437 slugging percentage. Pitching has been a bigger problem, with Washington ranking 27th in MLB behind a 4.69 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. Opponents are batting .258 against the staff, which has allowed 177 home runs. Washington is 34-32 away from home, but the Nationals have dropped five of six meetings with Miami this season.

Injuries: CJ Abrams (Day-To-Day), Drew Millas (10-Day IL), James Wood (10-Day IL), Richard Lovelady (60-Day IL), Josiah Gray (60-Day IL).

Miami Marlins Return Home After Difficult Series

Miami has dropped three straight after being swept in Philadelphia, allowing 16 runs while scoring 10. The Marlins had won their previous two games against Cincinnati, scoring 15 runs in those victories. Miami ranks eighth in MLB batting with a .250 average and has a .326 on-base percentage with a .402 slugging percentage. Otto Lopez has been the most consistent hitter, batting .308 with 153 hits, nine home runs, 54 RBI and 24 stolen bases.

Miami’s pitching staff ranks ninth in MLB with a 3.96 ERA and 1.25 WHIP while holding opponents to a .233 batting average. The Marlins have allowed 128 home runs and recorded 1,056 strikeouts across 1,121 innings. Home results have been a major positive, with Miami going 38-25 at loanDepot park. The Marlins have also outscored Washington 33-19 while winning five of their six meetings this season.

Injuries: Anthony Bender (15-Day IL), Kyle Stowers (10-Day IL), Max Meyer (15-Day IL), Ronny Henriquez (60-Day IL), Adam Mazur (60-Day IL).

Pitching Matchup

Washington Nationals – Jake Irvin

Irvin is 2-7 with a 5.80 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across 71.1 innings. The right-hander has allowed 66 hits, 31 walks and 12 home runs while striking out 72. Irvin’s ERA is the higher mark in Saturday’s matchup, and the 31 walks have added to his baserunner problems.

Miami Marlins – Eury Perez

Perez is 6-9 with a 3.23 ERA and 1.11 WHIP through 122.2 innings. The right-hander has allowed 87 hits, 49 walks and 13 home runs while recording 133 strikeouts. Perez owns the advantage in ERA and WHIP while allowing only 87 hits over more than 122 innings.

Washington Nationals vs Miami Marlins Game Pick

• Miami Marlins

Miami gets the selection Saturday behind the stronger starting pitcher and a very good home record. Perez enters with a 3.23 ERA and 1.11 WHIP, giving the Marlins a sizable statistical advantage over Irvin and his 5.80 ERA. Miami is also 38-25 at loanDepot park and has won five of six meetings with Washington this season. The Nationals have been shut out three times in their last five games, and James Wood is on the injured list. Those factors make Miami the play to end its three-game losing streak at home.

Washington Nationals vs Miami Marlins Over/Under Pick

• Under

Recent scoring results point toward the under despite Washington’s difficult season-long pitching numbers. The Nationals have been held scoreless in three of their last five games and have managed only seven total runs during that stretch. Perez also enters with a 3.23 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 133 strikeouts, giving Miami a strong option to keep Washington quiet again. The Marlins have scored only 10 runs over their las