Venue: Nationals Park — Washington, D.C.
First Pitch: 6:45 PM ET
Surface: Natural grass
Series: Game 2 of 3 (Nationals lead series 1–0)
The Nationals are trending upward after a strong offensive showing in the opener, while the Twins continue to struggle with run prevention and lineup inconsistency.
WEATHER REPORT (Washington, D.C. — Evening)
Temperature: 67–70°F
Wind: 8–12 mph blowing out to left‑center
Humidity: Moderate
Rain: <10%
Impact:
Slight boost to right‑handed power
Nationals Park plays hitter‑friendly in mild temps with wind out
INJURY REPORT
Minnesota Twins
Carlos Correa (oblique) — OUT
Royce Lewis (quad) — OUT
Byron Buxton (knee) — Day‑to‑day
Jhoan Duran (shoulder) — OUT
Chris Paddack (elbow) — OUT
Max Kepler (wrist) — Expected to play
Washington Nationals
Josiah Gray (forearm) — OUT
Lane Thomas (ankle) — Day‑to‑day
Keibert Ruiz (hamstring) — OUT
Hunter Harvey (elbow) — OUT
Luis García Jr. (back) — Expected to play
Minnesota’s injuries continue to limit their offensive ceiling and bullpen reliability.
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
Twins — RHP Bailey Ober (2–3, 4.02 ERA)
Excellent command and extension
Fly‑ball pitcher — vulnerable with wind blowing out
Has allowed 3+ runs in 3 of last 4 starts
Nationals’ right‑handed bats (Meneses, Abrams, Wood) match up well
Nationals — LHP MacKenzie Gore (3–2, 3.66 ERA)
High‑octane fastball + sharp slider
Home ERA: 3.10
Twins’ right‑handed bats (Miranda, Jeffers, Kepler) must produce
Has 29 strikeouts in last 23 innings
TEAM RECORDS & RECENT FORM
Minnesota Twins
Record: 15–20
Last 10: 3–7
Road record: 7–11
Offense: 4.1 runs/game
Trend: Injuries + inconsistent pitching + bullpen instability
Washington Nationals
Record: 16–19
Last 10: 6–4
Home record: 9–9
Offense: 4.3 runs/game
Trend: Young lineup heating up; pitching stabilizing
SERIES HISTORY
Nationals lead 1–0 in 2026
Twins and Nationals rarely meet; last full series was in 2023
Nationals Park has played hitter‑friendly in recent interleague matchups
KEY PLAYER MATCHUPS
1. CJ Abrams vs. Bailey Ober
Abrams’ speed and ability to handle high fastballs make him a major threat vs. Ober’s fly‑ball profile.
2. Jose Miranda vs. MacKenzie Gore
Miranda is Minnesota’s most reliable right‑handed bat. If he can handle Gore’s slider, the Twins have a chance to generate early offense.
3. James Wood vs. Twins bullpen
Wood’s power/speed combo is dangerous late, especially with Minnesota’s bullpen missing Duran.
BETTING TRENDS
Minnesota Twins
3–7 in last 10
Under has hit in 6 of last 9
Twins are 2–6 in last eight road games
Washington Nationals
6–4 in last 10
Nationals are 5–2 in last seven home games
Over is 5–3 in last eight Nationals games
Game Odds
Minnesota Twins 9
Washington Nationals – 112
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, May 4, 2026
