Tigers vs Nationals predictions
As the Detroit Tigers roll into Nationals Park to open this 3-game series, there's no ignoring the heat Riley Greene brings to the lineup. This dude is lighting it up with nearly a .300 batting average and genuine power, so it would be no surprise to see him notch a couple of hits and make a big impact on offense—maybe even go yard if Trevor Williams hangs one over the plate. And speaking of hot bats, keep an eye on Kerry Carpenter, who has a knack for driving in runs and could easily tally up a multi-hit performance here. But the key for Detroit might just be Jack Flaherty on the mound; if he can keep the walks down and rack up a handful of strikeouts through the middle innings, he’ll give the Tigers a solid shot at setting the tone for the series.
Switching over to the Washington Nationals, CJ Abrams has been one of the few bright spots in their lineup. He’ll likely use his speed and consistency to get on base—maybe even swipe a bag or two if the opportunity pops up. Don’t sleep on James Wood, either; the rookie's got surprising pop and has already shown he can change a game with one swing. With the left-handed slugger looking comfortable at the plate, there’s a good chance he drives in a run and draws some walks, too. As for their starting arm, Trevor Williams, there’s a bit of unpredictability there—he may not last deep into the game, but if he limits homers and keeps the Tigers off the bases early, Washington could make things interesting.
All things considered, the Tigers look a little more complete going into this one, especially with the way they stack up against the Nationals both at the plate and on the bump. Detroit’s balanced attack, paired with Flaherty’s ability to control the strike zone, gives them the edge. Of course, baseball’s always got a few surprises up its sleeve, but if I had to put my chips down, I’d ride with the Detroit Tigers to grab the first game in the series. Nationals Park will be rocking, but Detroit just feels like the safer bet tonight.
