Published Apr 3, 2:49am ET by
Demilade Adelekun - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Apr 3, 2:49am ET
Shutterstock
Updated Apr 3, 2:49am ET
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| Washington Nationals | +185 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | -233 |
Emmet Sheehan gets the start for Los Angeles after a rough 2026 debut, allowing 5 hits and a home run over 3.1 innings with a 10.80 ERA. The 26-year-old right-hander is coming off a breakthrough 2025 campaign where he went 6-3 with a 2.82 ERA and 0.97 WHIP across 73.1 innings in 15 appearances including 12 starts.
The Dodgers offense has been potent to start 2026, batting .248 with 6 home runs and a .395 slugging percentage. Will Smith has been the power threat with 2 homers and 5 RBI. Mookie Betts has driven in 5 runs despite hitting just .158. Andy Pages is batting .333 in the early going. The Dodgers have scored 22 runs through five games and rank among the league leaders in team ERA at 2.60.
Miles Mikolas makes his second start for Washington after signing a one-year deal in February following eight seasons with St. Louis. The 37-year-old veteran struggled in his Nationals debut, allowing 6 hits and a home run over 5 innings with a 7.20 ERA.
Mikolas is coming off a 2025 season where he went 8-11 with a 4.84 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 156.1 innings in 31 starts for the Cardinals. He struck out 100 while walking 37, relying heavily on his four-seamer, slider and curveball mix. The two-time All-Star has battled inconsistency in recent years but remains durable, making 30-plus starts in four straight seasons.
For the Nationals against the Dodgers, Joey Wiemer has been scorching to start the season, batting .615 with 2 homers and 4 RBI. The Nationals offense has been productive early, batting .285 with 6 home runs and scoring 33 runs through five games.
This matchup features a young Dodgers starter trying to shake off a rough debut against a veteran Nationals pitcher. Los Angeles has a clear talent advantage, and the defending champions should have the edge with their superior bullpen depth. The Nationals' hot-hitting start may not be sustainable against a Dodgers pitching staff that's posted a 2.60 ERA through the first week.
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Pick
Dodgers -233
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