Washington Nationals vs Detroit Tigers Picks and Prediction for Wednesday September 23 2026

The Washington Nationals visit the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan, on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM ET with coverage on ESPN Unlimited and MLB.TV. Washington enters at 73-84 overall and 36-43 on the road, while Detroit is 74-83 overall and 40-36 at home. Detroit won the series opener 9-2 on Monday and enters this matchup with a one-game advantage in the three-game set, while Tuesday's second game had not been completed at the time of this preview. The Nationals have dropped two straight entering Tuesday's action, while the Tigers snapped a two-game skid with Monday's victory. 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 Cade Cavalli, who enters at 13-5 with a 3.02 ERA and 1.16 WHIP through 169.2 innings. Cavalli has allowed 148 hits and 18 home runs while recording an impressive 200 strikeouts against only 48 walks. Detroit counters with Framber Valdez, who is 10-11 with a 4.06 ERA and 1.36 WHIP through 168.2 innings. Valdez has surrendered 166 hits and 16 home runs while striking out 129 and walking 64. The starting-pitching numbers give Washington a meaningful advantage on paper, particularly in ERA, WHIP and strikeout production. Cavalli's combination of 200 strikeouts and fewer baserunners allowed provides the Nationals with their clearest path to reversing what happened in Monday's opener.

Washington Tries to Turn Its Pitching Edge Into a Win

Washington enters Wednesday at 73-84 after losing 9-2 in Monday's series opener. The Nationals are 36-43 away from home and have gone 2-3 over their five most recently completed games, scoring 22 runs while allowing 23. They lost 5-3 before arriving in Detroit, won the previous two games 8-5 in 11 innings and 9-1, and were shut out 3-0 before that. Washington's offense has therefore been inconsistent, producing eight or more runs twice during this five-game stretch but three or fewer in each of the other three contests.

The Nationals are batting .247 as a team with 800 runs, 1,320 hits and 204 home runs. They have a .322 on-base percentage and .424 slugging percentage, giving Washington the stronger offensive profile in several categories when compared with Detroit. The pitching staff has been the much bigger problem. Washington carries a 4.69 team ERA and 1.39 WHIP while issuing 581 walks and recording 1,234 strikeouts. Opposing hitters are batting .253 against the Nationals.

That combination explains why Washington can be dangerous but difficult to trust. The Nationals have produced 94 more runs than Detroit and own significant advantages in home runs and slugging percentage, yet their pitching staff has allowed too many opportunities throughout the season. Wednesday could be different because their scheduled starter has performed considerably better than the staff as a whole. Washington needs that starting-pitching advantage to last deep enough into the game to prevent Detroit from attacking the weaker overall run-prevention numbers.

Detroit Looks to Build on Its Series-Opening Rout

Detroit comes into Wednesday at 74-83 overall with a 40-36 record at Comerica Park. The Tigers defeated Washington 9-2 in Monday's opener, ending a difficult stretch in which they had lost three of their previous four games. Detroit is 2-3 across its five most recently completed contests, scoring 23 runs and allowing 24. The nine-run performance against Washington was important because Detroit had scored only three combined runs over its previous two games.

The Tigers are hitting .241 with 706 runs, 1,277 hits and 176 home runs. Their .319 on-base percentage and .401 slugging percentage both trail Washington's marks, but Detroit has been substantially better on the mound. The Tigers own a 3.65 team ERA and 1.22 WHIP, with 495 walks against 1,264 strikeouts. Opponents are batting only .232 against Detroit, giving the Tigers a sizeable advantage over Washington's .253 opponent batting average.

Detroit's pitching is the primary reason this matchup is much closer than the offensive numbers might suggest. The Tigers have the better season-long run-prevention profile and the home-field advantage, while Washington brings the stronger scheduled starter and more power offensively. Detroit's challenge will be generating enough offense against a starter who has limited traffic effectively throughout the season. If the Tigers can force Washington into its bullpen relatively early, the matchup should begin shifting back toward Detroit's strengths.

Washington Nationals vs Detroit Tigers Picks and Prediction

Pick: Washington Nationals Moneyline

Washington is worth backing as a moneyline play if the eventual price is reasonable. Detroit owns the better overall pitching staff and has played above .500 at home, but the starting-pitching matchup provides Washington with an opportunity to overcome those advantages. The Nationals' scheduled starter owns a 3.02 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 200 strikeouts in 169.2 innings, while Detroit's scheduled starter carries a 4.06 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. Washington also has the stronger offensive numbers, leading Detroit in batting average, runs, home runs, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. After being handled 9-2 in the opener, the Nationals have enough advantages in Wednesday's individual matchup to make them the side.

Pick: Under 8.5 or Higher

The under is the preferred total if the number opens at 8.5 or higher. Washington has the offensive ability to create a high-scoring game, but Wednesday features its strongest advantage on the mound, and Detroit's season-long pitching numbers remain excellent despite the scheduled starter's more modest individual statistics. The Tigers have a 3.65 team ERA, 1.22 WHIP and .232 opponent batting average, while Washington's scheduled starter enters with a 3.02 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. Detroit also scored three runs or fewer in three of its five most recently completed games. Monday's opener reached 11 combined runs, but the pitching matchup for Wednesday creates a much stronger case for a lower-scoring contest.

Final Picks: Washington Nationals Moneyline and Under 8.5 or Higher

This preview was completed on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Starting pitchers, betting lines and other game information are subject to change before the game begins.