The Los Angeles Dodgers travel to Washington to face the Washington Nationals on Sunday, April 5, 2026, in the final game of their series at Nationals Park. The Dodgers enter the matchup with strong momentum after dominating the first two games of the series, while the Nationals will try to stop the sweep and secure an important early-season win.
Los Angeles has started the season in excellent form and sits near the top of the National League standings. Washington has shown flashes of potential but continues to struggle with consistency as the season begins.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Washington Nationals Match Details
| Match | Los Angeles Dodgers vs Washington Nationals |
|---|---|
| Date | April 5, 2026 |
| Time | 1:35 PM ET |
| Venue | Nationals Park |
| Location | Washington, DC |
| Broadcast | SN LA |
| Weather | Around 67°F at first pitch |
Team Records and Recent Form
| Team | Record | Division Position |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 6-2 | 1st in NL West |
| Washington Nationals | 3-5 | 5th in NL East |
The Dodgers have been dominant in this series so far. They have scored 23 runs in the first two games, including a 10-5 victory in the most recent matchup.
Washington enters the game on a losing streak and has struggled defensively during the series, giving up multiple home runs and allowing Los Angeles hitters to score consistently.
Dodgers vs Nationals Odds and Betting Lines
| Team | Run Line | Total Runs | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodgers | -1.5 (-130) | Over 9 (-115) | -220 |
| Nationals | +1.5 (+110) | Under 9 (-105) | +180 |
The Dodgers are clear favorites heading into the matchup because of their strong offense and recent form.
Starting Pitchers
The pitching matchup will play a major role in the outcome of this game.
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodgers | Roki Sasaki | 0-1 | 2.25 | 1.50 |
| Nationals | Foster Griffin | 1-0 | 3.60 | 1.00 |
Roki Sasaki – Dodgers
Roki Sasaki will start for Los Angeles. The right-hander has shown good control early in the season and has maintained a low ERA through his first outings. Sasaki throws a fastball that regularly reaches high velocity and has proven capable of limiting runs.
This game will mark his first career appearance against Washington.
Foster Griffin – Nationals
Washington will send left-hander Foster Griffin to the mound. Griffin recently returned to the major leagues after spending time pitching overseas and impressed in his latest outing.
He allowed two runs over five innings in his previous start and will look to repeat that performance against one of the strongest lineups in baseball.
Dodgers Lineup News
One important update for Los Angeles involves star shortstop Mookie Betts.
Betts left Saturday’s game early after experiencing right lower back pain while running the bases. He underwent medical evaluation and is expected to miss this game while the team monitors his recovery.
Miguel Rojas is expected to take his place in the lineup while the Dodgers continue to rely on their deep offensive roster.
Even without Betts, the Dodgers still feature elite hitters including:
- Shohei Ohtani
- Freddie Freeman
- Max Muncy
- Teoscar Hernández
- Will Smith
Andy Pages’ Breakout Start
A major storyline for Los Angeles early this season has been the impressive form of Andy Pages.
The Dodgers outfielder has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball, collecting 15 hits in his first 30 at-bats with three home runs. He has recorded multiple hits in several consecutive games and continues to produce key runs for the Dodgers offense.
His strong plate discipline and ability to hit to all parts of the field have helped the Dodgers maintain a dangerous lineup from top to bottom.
Nationals Players to Watch
Despite the tough series against Los Angeles, Washington still has players capable of making an impact.
CJ Abrams
Abrams has been one of the Nationals’ most productive hitters so far. He has already hit multiple home runs and has contributed several RBIs early in the season.
Daylen Lile
Lile has been producing consistently with hits and runs, helping Washington generate offensive opportunities.
James Wood
Wood remains a powerful hitter capable of changing the game with one swing.
Team Performance Trends
Dodgers Trends
| Category | Performance |
|---|---|
| Moneyline wins in recent games | Strong success rate |
| Run line coverage | Consistent |
| Road batting average | Among the best in MLB |
| Road OPS | Extremely high |
Los Angeles hitters have been outstanding away from home with strong batting averages and powerful slugging numbers.
Nationals Trends
| Category | Performance |
|---|---|
| Home record last season | Among the lowest in MLB |
| Late inning runs allowed | One of the highest totals |
| Strikeout rate with two strikes | Low |
Washington’s pitching has struggled to close games, particularly in late innings, which has been a key factor in their losses.
Key Factors That Could Decide the Game
Dodgers
- Explosive offense capable of scoring in bunches
- Strong bullpen depth
- High road batting performance
Nationals
- Left-handed lineup matchup against Sasaki
- Griffin’s ability to limit runs early
- Need for better bullpen performance
Nationals vs Dodgers Prediction
The Dodgers enter this game as clear favorites. Their offense has been extremely productive in this series, and their lineup continues to produce even without Mookie Betts.
Washington will rely on Griffin to slow down the Dodgers early and give their hitters a chance to stay competitive.
However, Los Angeles’ depth and offensive momentum make them difficult to stop.
Predicted Score
| Team | Predicted Runs |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 6 |
| Washington Nationals | 3 |
The Dodgers are expected to complete the series sweep if their offense maintains the same rhythm.
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