Dodgers vs Nationals Prediction, Odds, Pitchers & Pick – MLB April 3, 2026

The Los Angeles Dodgers travel to Nationals Park to face the Washington Nationals on Friday afternoon in the opening game of a three-game weekend series. The matchup is the first game on the MLB schedule for the day and features two teams that began the season in very different ways.

The Dodgers enter the game with a 4-2 record after playing their first six games at home. Washington, meanwhile, has opened the season with six straight road games and arrives at its home opener with a balanced 3-3 record. With both teams now shifting locations, the start of this series could shape the early momentum for the next stretch of games.

The pitching matchup features Emmet Sheehan starting for Los Angeles while veteran Miles Mikolas takes the mound for Washington.

Match Information

Match	Los Angeles Dodgers vs Washington Nationals
League	MLB 2026
Date	April 3, 2026
Venue	Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
First Pitch	1:05 PM ET
Broadcast	SportsNet LA, Nationals TV

Dodgers vs Nationals Odds

Betting Market	Odds
Moneyline	Dodgers -271
Moneyline	Nationals +218
Run Line	Nationals +1.5 (-218)
Total Runs	9.5

Los Angeles enters the matchup as a strong favorite according to betting odds, reflecting both the team’s roster strength and early-season record.

Starting Pitchers

Team	Pitcher	Record	ERA
Dodgers	Emmet Sheehan	0-0	10.80
Nationals	Miles Mikolas	0-1	7.80

Sheehan’s first start of the season was uneven. He allowed four earned runs on five hits while striking out six batters in 3.1 innings. The Dodgers will be looking for a more stable outing from the young right-hander as he continues to settle into the season.

Mikolas also had a difficult opening start. The Nationals pitcher gave up four runs on six hits across five innings. While his ERA is high early in the year, he has typically limited big scoring innings throughout his recent starts.

Team Form and Early Season Trends

Team	Record	Key Trend
Dodgers	4-2	Offense slowed after Opening Day
Nationals	3-3	High-scoring games early in season

Los Angeles began the season with an eight-run performance in its opener against Arizona. However, the offense has cooled since then, averaging under four runs per game across the next five matchups.

Washington’s lineup has been more productive overall. The Nationals are averaging over six runs per game and have posted strong early offensive numbers, highlighted by a team OPS above .770.

Several of Washington’s early games have turned into higher-scoring contests, which has contributed to totals going over the betting line multiple times in the opening week.

Pitching Matchup Outlook

Both starting pitchers enter this game with elevated ERAs after their first outings of the season. Sheehan struggled to finish innings in his debut, while Mikolas allowed consistent contact across five innings.

Because of those early pitching performances, the game could see scoring opportunities from both lineups. At the same time, recent Dodgers games have leaned toward lower totals due to slower offensive production over the past week.

The balance between Washington’s stronger early offense and Los Angeles’ recent low-scoring games creates an interesting matchup dynamic.

Dodgers vs Nationals Prediction

This game brings together two teams with contrasting offensive momentum. The Nationals have been producing runs consistently, while the Dodgers are still searching for rhythm after their opening series.

With both starting pitchers showing vulnerability in their first outings, scoring chances should appear throughout the game.

Prediction	Result
Projected Score	Dodgers 6 – Nationals 4
Best Total Lean	Around the 9–10 run range
Game Edge	Dodgers

Los Angeles remains the stronger overall team and enters the matchup as the favorite, but Washington’s offense has been productive enough to keep the game competitive.

The opening game of this series at Nationals Park could turn into an entertaining matchup with scoring on both sides as the teams begin their weekend series in Washington.