Washington Nationals vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction, 5/26/2026 MLB Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Washington Nationals vs Cleveland Guardians

Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Location: Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH

TV: MLB.TV

Odds/Point Spread: Washington (+125) Cleveland (-145)

Progressive Field is where the Cleveland Guardians (32-23) will go up against the Washington Nationals (27-27) on Tuesday. The moneyline on this contest has the Nationals at +125 while the Guardians are opening at -145. The total is 9. The pitchers who are expected to start are Cade Cavalli and Joey Cantillo.

The Nationals have recorded 105 two-baggers as a team and have hit 65 baseballs out of the park. Washington has a slugging rate of .413 and have struck out 455 times, while being walked on 198 occasions. As a squad, the Washington Nationals are notching 5.3 runs per contest, which has them sitting at 1st in the league. They have earned 270 runs batted in and 451 base knocks on the campaign, and their average at the plate is sitting at .243. They have accumulated 288 runs scored while holding a team OBP of .322.

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Their strikeout to walk ratio sits at 2.22 and their pitching staff has a collective WHIP of 1.38. Nationals pitchers have allowed 76 home runs in addition to 302 runs (30th in the league). Washington has given up 483 hits (8.9 per 9 innings) and 261 earned runs. The Nationals have a team ERA of 4.80 so far this year (26th in MLB), and the staff has struck out 431 batters. Their pitching staff has walked 194 batters and their FIP comes in at 4.74 as a team on the campaign.

The Nationals bullpen have recorded a save rate of 53.3% and have entered the game in 63 save situations. They have earned 16 saves on the year and have missed out on 14 of their 30 save opportunities. The relief pitchers have inherited 76 base runners on the campaign and 46.1% of those players crossing the plate. Nationals pitchers have entered the contest with players on base 55 times in addition to having 66 appearances in high leverage situations. The Nationals have sent 178 relievers to the hill on the campaign. The bullpen have recorded 29 holds so far this year (17th in the league).

The Nationals have turned 69.1% of balls in play into outs out of 4,407 innings on the diamond, which has them sitting 25th in baseball. The Washington Nationals have notched a total of 1,469 putouts for the season, as well as 478 assists and 50 errors. Their fielding rate is holding steady at .975 which has them ranked 30th in MLB, and have accumulated 38 double plays.

Cavalli has taken the mound for 106 frames and has totaled 107 punch outs during his MLB career. Cavalli (5-5 career win-loss record) has earned a FIP of 4.42 while going up against 485 opposing batters in the major leagues. His ERA is 4.49 (53 earned runs allowed) and he has a WHIP of 1.478. He has conceded 121 base knocks (10.3 hits per 9 innings) and has 36 walks.

The Cleveland Guardians have compiled an OBP of .320 and a batting average of .228 this season. They have struck out on 410 occasions (26th in MLB) and have earned a total of 409 base knocks. Cleveland is sitting with 55 home runs on the season as well as 222 RBIs. The Guardians hold a slugging percentage of .373 and they have an average of 4.22 runs per contest (18th in the league). They have recorded 86 doubles, while getting a free base 230 times as well as recording 232 runs.

The Guardians are sitting with a team WHIP of 1.248 and have a FIP of 3.81 as a pitching staff so far this season. Their K/BB ratio comes in at 9.50 (515 strikeouts against 189 bases on balls). They sit at 14th in the league as a staff in total hits relinquished with 419. They have surrendered 59 dingers and they yield 3.86 runs per 9 innings (5th in baseball). The Cleveland pitching staff have conceded 209 runs on the year while having a team ERA of 3.55 (192 earned runs surrendered).

They rank 2nd in MLB with a save rate of 84.0%, and they have dispatched 179 relief pitchers to the mound over the course of the season. Their bullpen pitchers have come in 65 times in high leverage situations in addition to 52 occasions with base runners. Sitting with 74 save situations, the Guardians have recorded 48 holds in addition to 4 blown saves. Cleveland has called on bullpen pitchers to enter the contest in 25 save opportunities and they have tallied 21 saves. Cleveland bullpen pitchers have an inherited score percentage of 24.4% of 82 inherited runners.

In their 4,386 innings on the diamond, the Guardians hold a efficiency on defense of 70.4% (15th in MLB). The Cleveland Guardians have turned 40 double plays and hold a fielding percentage of .989 (7th in the majors). The Guardians have 420 assists, 21 errors and have earned 1,462 putouts on the season.

So far in his pro baseball career, Cantillo has allowed 160 base knocks while tallying 203 K's in 190 frames. He has given up a total of 74 ER's while earning a WHIP of 1.284 and having a FIP of 3.5. He has a strikeout to walk ratio of 2.42 and he has faced 797 opposing batters so far in his MLB career. Cantillo (11-8 record in his career) has a 3.51 earned run average and has given up 7.6 hits per 9 innings.

Who will win tonight's MLB game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Washington (+125)

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