Reds vs. Nationals prediction, odds, line, start time: 2025 MLB picks, best bets for July 23 by proven model

The Washington Nationals host the Cincinnati Reds at Nationals Park on Wednesday in the final game of their midweek series. The Nationals won the first two games of the series, including a 6-1 win behind a home run from Josh Bell on Tuesday. Washington is 41-60 overall and 21-30 at home, while the Cincinnati is 52-50 overall are 24-28 on the road this season. Nick Lodolo (7-6, 3.33 ERA) is the projected starting pitcher for the Reds, while Michael Soroka (3-7, 5.10 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Nationals.

First pitch from Nationals Park in Washington D.C. is set for 12:05 p.m. ET. Cincinnati is a -140 favorite on the money line (risk $140 to win $100) in the latest Nationals vs. Reds odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, while the total number of runs Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 9. Before making any Reds vs. Nationals picks, you’ll want to see the MLB predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer simulation model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times. It entered Week 17 of the 2025 MLB season 46-43 on top-rated MLB picks. It has excelled making home run prop picks this season, returning more than 40 units of profit. Anybody following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen strong returns.    

Now, the model has set its sights on Reds vs. Nationals and just locked in its picks and MLB predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several MLB odds and betting lines for Nationals vs. Reds, which you can get in on with a DraftKings promo code or a FanDuel promo code.

Why the Reds can win

The Reds are in the thick of the National League playoff race. Cincinnati will be motivated to snap its three-game losing streak in the final matchup of this mid-week series. The Reds enter Wednesday’s game with the sixth-best run differential mark in the National League (+35). 

Cincinnati is paced by one of the premier young players in MLB in shortstop Elly De La Cruz. The 23-year-old is a two-time MLB All-Star selection, and one of the most physically gifted players in the game. De La Cruz enters Wednesday batting .279 with 18 home runs, 65 RBI, and 26 stolen bases. See which team to back at SportsLine.

Why the Nationals can win

The Nationals are in last place in the National League East, but have played well as of late, winning three of five games since returning from the All-Star break. Washington won each of the first two games in this series, and were dominant on the mound on Tuesday, with five pitchers combining to limit the Reds to one run. 

Offensively, the Nationals are paced by left fielder James Wood and shortstop CJ Abrams. Wood enters Wednesday batting .272 with 24 home runs, 70 RBI, and 14 stolen bases. Abrams is batting .279 with 13 home runs, 37 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. See which team to back at SportsLine. 

How to make Nationals vs. Reds picks

SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 9.5 combined runs, and it says one side of the money line hits in over 60% of computer simulations. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s MLB picks. 

So who wins Reds vs. Nationals, and which side of the money line hits over 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its MLB picks, and find out.