The Detroit Tigers host the Washington Nationals on September 23, 2026. First pitch from Comerica Park is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on DSN.
The Tigers are favored by -184 on the moneyline and by -1.5 on the run line. The Nationals are +154 on the moneyline and +1.5 on the run line. The total is set at 8.5 runs.
Find my MLB picks and Nationals vs Tigers predictionbelow, as well as probable pitchers, weather report, and more.
Nationals vs Tigers Pick: NRFI (-122)
My Nationals vs Tigers best bet is for there to be no runs scored in the first inning. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page and download the Action Network app for more picks and analysis!
Nationals vs Tigers moneyline:Nationals +154, Tigers -184
Nationals vs Tigers over/under:8.5 (+110o / -134u)
Nationals vs Tigers spread:Nationals +1.5 (-152), Tigers -1.5 (+126)
| Cade Cavalli (RHP, WSH) |
Stat |
Framber Valdez (LHP, DET) |
| 13-5 |
W-L |
10-11 |
| 3.9 |
fWAR (FanGraphs) |
1.8 |
| 3.02 / 3.67 |
ERA / xERA |
4.06 / 4.40 |
| 3.25 / 3.13 |
FIP / xFIP |
4.19 / 4.16 |
| 21.5% |
K-BB% |
8.8% |
| 49.9% |
GB% |
55.4% |
| .307 |
BABIP |
.292 |
| 102 |
Stuff+ |
103 |
| 99 |
Location+ |
96 |
Veteran left-hander Framber Valdez takes the mound for the Tigers on Wednesday afternoon in a spot where I expect reverse platoon splits to play a key role. On the other side, left-handed reliever Richard Lovelady (3-4, 3.86 ERA, 30 SO) gets the call to open a bullpen game for the Nationals .
Despite Valdez's vast struggles this season, posting an ERA upwards of 3.66 (4.06) for just the second time in his nine-year MLB career, the former Astro is set to face a Nats lineup loaded with left-handed hitters.
In 15 previous at-bats against Valdez, Washington's lineup has collectively recorded just a single hit, given the likes of CJ Abrams , James Wood , and Daylen Lile , among others who boast far superior splits versus righties.
While I expect Valdez's inherent edge over the top of the Nats' lineup to produce a scoreless first inning, the Nationals' side of the NRFI equation hinges on Lovelady set up as an opener.
The 29-year-old southpaw features heavy home-and-away and platoon splits that make him an ideal opener to get through Detroit's top of the order cleanly before handing the ball over to the Washington relief corps.
Given Valdez's matchup advantages and a scripted, short-burst opening stint for Lovelady, look for both pitching setups to navigate the frame quietly early on.
Pick: NRFI (-122)
