Washington Nationals vs Detroit Tigers Picks and Prediction for Tuesday September 22 2026

The Washington Nationals visit the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan, on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM ET with coverage on MLB.TV. Washington enters at 73-83 overall and 36-42 on the road, while Detroit is also 73-83 overall but owns a 39-36 record at home. The Nationals have won three of their last five completed games, while the Tigers have dropped four of five and enter this series following consecutive losses. Tuesday is the second game of a three-game series between the clubs. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Be sure to check out our free MLB picks for more MLB predictions throughout the season.

Starting Pitchers

Washington is scheduled to start Jackson Kent, who enters at 1-4 with a 6.40 ERA and 1.76 WHIP through 32.1 innings. He has allowed 34 hits and two home runs while recording 27 strikeouts against 23 walks. Detroit counters with Drew Anderson, who is 5-6 with a 3.62 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 102 innings. He has surrendered 89 hits and 14 home runs while striking out 109 and walking 43. Anderson has a substantial statistical advantage entering this matchup, with an ERA nearly three runs lower and a WHIP almost half a baserunner better. Kent has limited the home-run damage in his relatively small workload, but the combination of 34 hits and 23 walks in only 32.1 innings has created considerable traffic on the bases.

Washington Brings the Better Offense to Detroit

Washington comes into Tuesday at 73-83 with a 36-42 road record. The Nationals have played better recently than their overall record suggests, going 3-2 across their last five completed games. They took two of three in St. Louis, winning 9-1 and 8-5 in 11 innings before losing Sunday's finale 5-3. That followed a split of the final two games provided against Philadelphia, including a 6-3 victory. Washington has scored 26 runs over its last five games while allowing 17.

The Nationals have quietly produced strong offensive numbers, batting .247 with 798 runs, 1,315 hits and 203 home runs. Washington owns a .322 on-base percentage and a .425 slugging percentage. Pitching has been a much different story, as the Nationals carry a 4.66 ERA and 1.38 WHIP while opponents are batting .253. The staff has recorded 1,227 strikeouts against 577 walks.

Washington's clearest advantage is its offense. The Nationals have scored 101 more runs than Detroit while hitting 30 more home runs, and their .425 slugging percentage is considerably better than Detroit's .398 mark. The problem Tuesday is that Washington's pitching weakness could be magnified by a difficult starting matchup. The Nationals' scheduled starter owns a 6.40 ERA and 1.76 WHIP, meaning Washington may need its offense to generate several runs to overcome the possibility of an early deficit.

Detroit Looks to Turn Its Pitching Advantage Into a Win

Detroit enters with exactly the same 73-83 overall record as Washington, although the Tigers have been better at Comerica Park with a 39-36 home mark. Recent form has been a problem. Detroit is 1-4 over its last five completed games and has lost two straight after dropping an 8-1 decision and a 3-1 contest against the White Sox. The Tigers' lone victory during that five-game stretch was an 11-8 win. Detroit has managed only 15 runs across those five contests while allowing 27.

The Tigers are batting .240 with 697 runs, 1,265 hits and 173 home runs. Detroit owns a .319 on-base percentage and .398 slugging percentage. Its primary strength has been pitching, where the Tigers have posted a 3.66 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while holding opponents to a .232 batting average. Detroit pitchers have accumulated 1,253 strikeouts against only 493 walks.

That pitching advantage is substantial when compared directly with Washington. Detroit's team ERA is exactly one full run better at 3.66 compared with Washington's 4.66, while the Tigers also hold advantages in WHIP and opponent batting average. Tuesday's probable pitching matchup strengthens that edge even further. Detroit's biggest question is whether its offense can capitalize, particularly after scoring one run in four of its last five games. Washington offers a vulnerable pitching matchup, making this an important opportunity for Detroit's lineup to break out of its recent slump.

Washington Nationals vs Detroit Tigers Picks and Prediction

Pick: Detroit Tigers Moneyline

Washington owns the stronger offense and has been the better recent team, but the starting-pitching discrepancy makes Detroit the preferred side. The Tigers' scheduled starter carries a 3.62 ERA and 1.29 WHIP compared with a 6.40 ERA and 1.76 WHIP for Washington's scheduled starter. Detroit also owns a 3.66 team ERA compared with Washington's 4.66 and has held opposing hitters to a .232 average. The Tigers are 39-36 at Comerica Park, and this is a matchup where their biggest season-long strength directly attacks Washington's biggest weakness. Detroit is the moneyline choice.

Pick: Over 8 or Lower

Detroit's pitching numbers normally create a case for the under, but Washington's starting situation shifts the handicap. The Nationals' scheduled starter has allowed 57 combined hits and walks over only 32.1 innings, and Washington carries a 4.66 team ERA and 1.38 WHIP. The Nationals also bring an offense that has produced 798 runs and 203 home runs while scoring 26 times over its last five games. Detroit's offense has struggled recently, but this is a favorable opportunity for the Tigers to improve on those numbers. With Washington capable of contributing offensively as well, the over becomes playable if the total is set at 8 or lower.

Final Picks: Detroit Tigers Moneyline and Over 8 or Lower

This preview was completed on Monday, September 21, 2026. Starting pitchers, betting lines and other game information are subject to change before the game begins.