by Rod Pearson
Saturday, Jun 20, 2026
Game Time: 4:10 pm ET, Saturday, June 20, 2026
Venue: Tropicana Field, Petersburg, FL
Where to Watch: ESPN Unlimited, MLB TV
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Nationals +104, Rays -125; Over/Under: 8 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Nationals +105, Rays -125; Over/Under: 8 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Nationals +105, Rays -125; Over/Under: 8 runs
Season Record
Washington Nationals: 39-36 (3rd place, NL East)
Tampa Bay Rays: 41-30 (2nd place, AL East)
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Recent Form
Washington Nationals: 6-4 last 10
Tampa Bay Rays: 4-6 last 10
Washington Nationals vs Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Analysis
The Nationals are entering this series off a loss and won their 3-game series against the Kansas City Royals 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 39-36 record overall and have a road record of 23-14. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Rays on Saturday with the series opener still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 5th in the MLB with a .744 OPS. Cade Cavalli is their starting pitcher on Friday while Miles Mikolas is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 2-5 with a 5.29 ERA this season. His team won their last 2 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season appearance, he allowed 0 ER, 0 HR, and 0 BB with 3 SO on 3 hits through 7 IP against the Seattle Mariners.
The Rays are entering this series off a loss and got swept in their 3-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-0 in their last series. They enter this game with a 41-30 record overall and have a home record of 24-9. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Rays on Saturday with the 1st game of this series still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 16th in the MLB with a .712 OPS. Griffin Jax is their starting pitcher on Friday while Ian Seymour is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 3-0 with a 4.93 ERA this season. His team won their last 2 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 2 earned runs, 1 homer, and 3 walks with 3 strikeouts on 2 hits through 3.1 innings pitched against the Los Angeles Angels.
Nationals vs Rays Prediction
The current betting odds have the Nationals listed as a slight underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Nationals have looked good in their games this season with their 39-36 record overall which has them right in the middle of the NL East. They have been a great road team too with their 23-14 road record this year. Meanwhile, the Rays have looked great in their games this season with their 41-30 record overall which has them right near the top of the AL East. They have looked great in their own ballpark too with their 24-9 home record this season. The Rays had a great start to the season with one of the best records in MLB, but lately they haven't looked as good and are starting to regress. They are 4-6 in their last 10 games now and their offense hasn't been great this season either. The Nationals have one of the best offenses in MLB though and lately they have been getting hot again, now 6-4 in their last 10 games. Mikolas is starting for the Nationals in this one and he hasn't looked good this season. He is 2-5 with a 5.29 ERA, but lately he has looked a lot better and hasn't been giving up many runs. He is coming off another great performance in which he gave up no runs which is starting to become a common theme for him lately, and even his team has won 2 games in a row now with him making an appearance. The Rays have been slipping into a slump lately, getting swept by the Dodgers in their last series, and they aren't going to have many great options on the mound here as they are dealing with some injuries to their pitching staff. Look for the Nationals to take advantage of that with their offense as they continue to get hot. The best way to place a bet here is on the Nationals to win this game.
Nationals Rays Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Saturday, June 20, 2026 (4:10 pm ET start time) is Nationals 6 Rays 3.
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MLB Betting Trends
Washington Nationals: 176-224 (+9.1 units) on the moneyline in all games. 89-109 (+24.4 units) on the moneyline in road games. 52-61 (+6.8 units) on the moneyline in an inter-league game. 47-24 OVER in all games.
Tampa Bay Rays: 198-197 (-10 units) on the moneyline in all games. 145-145 (-9.4 units) on the moneyline against right-handed starters. 81-113 (-23.4 units) on the moneyline when playing against a team with a winning record. 24-15 OVER against NL East opponents.
Key Injuries
Washington Nationals: M. Kranick (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. J. Irvin (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Shoulder. K. Waldichuk (SP) Sixty Day IL - Forearm. J. Gray (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. D. Herz (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. T. Williams (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow.
Tampa Bay Rays: J. Heasley (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. G. Lux (LF) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. J. Scholtens (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Wrist. J. DeLuca (RF) Ten Day IL - Hamstring. J. Fraley (RF) Ten Day IL - Groin. R. Pepiot (SP) Sixty Day IL - Hip. E. Uceta (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. M. Grove (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. S. Wilson (RP) Sixty Day IL - Back. M. Rodriguez (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow.
Notable Quotes
“He’s not gonna be outworked. He really takes it upon himself to make sure these guys are absolutely prepared when they get into the ballgame. If they don’t pitch as well as maybe they should have or could have, he takes that on himself and feels like it’s because he didn’t prepare them the right way.” - Blake Butera on bullpen coach Dustin Glant this season.
“The best thing was we answered back. They had gone up 2-0, and we answered right back, put some pressure on them. He’s (Ohtani) very, very talented, stays in the zone, but I felt like we put enough pressure with some good at-bats to get us back in the game.” - Kevin Cash after his team’s loss against the LA Dodgers in their game on Wednesday.
Starting Lineups
Washington Nationals
James Wood (L) RF
Luis García Jr. (L) 1B
Curtis Mead (R) 3B
CJ Abrams (L) SS
Dylan Crews (R) CF
Daylen Lile (L) LF
Keibert Ruiz (S) C
José Tena (L) DH
Nasim Nuñez (S) 2B
Tampa Bay Rays
Yandy Díaz (R) DH
Jonathan Aranda (L) 1B
Cedric Mullins (L) CF
Junior Caminero (R) 3B
Richie Palacios (L) 2B
Chandler Simpson (L) LF
Victor Mesa Jr. (L) RF
Hunter Feduccia (L) C
Taylor Walls (S) SS
Statistical Leaders
Washington Nationals
Batting Average: Joey Wiemer (.286)
Hits: James Wood (79)
Home Runs: James Wood (20)
RBI: CJ Abrams (54)
Stolen Bases: Nasim Nuñez (26)
Wins: Foster Griffin (7)
Saves: Gus Varland (6)
ERA: Julian Fernández (2.25)
Tampa Bay Rays
Batting Average: Yandy Díaz (.317)
Hits: Yandy Díaz (83)
Home Runs: Junior Caminero (15)
RBI: Jonathan Aranda (48)
Stolen Bases: Chandler Simpson (14)
Wins: Shane McClanahan (6)
Saves: Bryan Baker (18)
ERA: Cam Booser (0.00)
Managers:
Washington Nationals: Blake Butera (1st season)
Tampa Bay Rays: Kevin Cash (12th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
