Washington Nationals vs San Diego Padres Picks and Prediction for Wednesday September 9 2026

The Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres continue their series Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Petco Park in San Diego, California. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 PM ET with coverage on MLB.TV. Washington enters at 67-79 overall and 34-39 on the road, while San Diego is 76-68 overall and an impressive 44-29 at home. The Padres won the first game of the current series 3-2 and enter Wednesday having won two straight, while Washington has dropped five consecutive games. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Be sure to check out our free MLB picks throughout the season.

Starting Pitchers

Washington is scheduled to start Jackson Kent, who enters at 1-3 with a 5.55 ERA and 1.68 WHIP across 24.1 innings. He has allowed 22 hits and issued 19 walks while recording 21 strikeouts and surrendering one home run. San Diego counters with Walker Buehler, who is 8-6 with a 4.56 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 136.1 innings. He has allowed 132 hits and 51 walks while striking out 117 and allowing 18 home runs. San Diego has the statistical advantage between the scheduled starters, particularly in ERA, WHIP and established workload.

Washington Searches for a Way Out of Its Slide

Washington comes into Wednesday at 67-79 overall and has fallen to 34-39 away from home. The Nationals have lost five consecutive games, including Monday's 3-2 defeat at San Diego. Before arriving at Petco Park, they were swept in three games on the road by Los Angeles, losing 7-5, 6-5 and 5-3. Their current five-game losing streak began with a 9-0 home defeat.

The Nationals have produced a .248 team batting average with 750 runs, 1,236 hits and 195 home runs. They own a .324 on-base percentage and .428 slugging percentage. Pitching has been much more problematic, with Washington carrying a 4.72 team ERA and 1.39 WHIP. The staff has recorded 1,137 strikeouts against 532 walks while opponents are batting .255.

Washington's offense is clearly its best argument in this matchup. The Nationals lead San Diego in batting average, runs, hits, home runs, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. That production makes them dangerous despite the recent losing streak. The concern is whether their pitching can provide enough resistance, particularly with Washington entering with the higher team ERA and WHIP and the less favorable scheduled starter.

San Diego Continues to Deliver at Petco Park

San Diego enters Wednesday at 76-68 and has been much stronger at home, posting a 44-29 record at Petco Park. The Padres have won three of their last five games and two straight, including Monday's 3-2 victory over Washington. They also recently took two of three completed games from New York at home, winning 4-3 and 3-2 in 10 innings around a 5-1 defeat.

The Padres are hitting .236 with 605 runs, 1,120 hits and 159 home runs. They have a .314 on-base percentage and .386 slugging percentage. San Diego's advantage comes on the mound, where the team owns a 3.90 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. The staff has recorded 1,170 strikeouts with 489 walks while holding opposing hitters to a .241 batting average.

San Diego doesn't match Washington's overall offensive numbers, but the Padres have been substantially more effective at preventing runs. Their team ERA is 0.82 lower, their WHIP is 0.10 lower and opponents are batting just .241 against them compared with .255 against Washington. Combine those numbers with a 44-29 home record and Washington's five-game losing streak, and the Padres have several significant advantages entering Wednesday.

Washington Nationals vs San Diego Padres Picks and Prediction

Pick: San Diego Padres Moneyline

San Diego is the preferred side despite Washington owning the stronger offensive statistics. The Padres have the better overall record, a 44-29 home mark and a substantial advantage in team pitching, while their scheduled starter enters with the better ERA and WHIP. Washington has now lost five straight and is 34-39 away from home, while San Diego has won three of its last five and already took the opening game of this series. With the Padres holding advantages in starting pitching, overall pitching and home performance, San Diego is the moneyline pick.

Pick: Under 9.0

The Under 9.0 is the preferred total if the number is set at 9.0 or higher. Washington's offense has been productive across the season, but the Nationals have scored only two runs in their last two games combined, while San Diego has played several low-scoring contests recently. Four of the Padres' last five games have produced seven combined runs or fewer, including Monday's 3-2 result against Washington. San Diego's 3.90 team ERA and 1.29 WHIP provide another reason to lean toward another relatively controlled game. Take the Under if the total is set at 9.0 or higher.

Final Picks: San Diego Padres Moneyline and Under 9.0

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