The Washington Nationals (44-67) will host the Athletics (49-65) in the MLB tonight. First pitch from Nationals Park is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. ET. The game will broadcast live on NBCS-CA.
Washington is a -135 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while the Athletics are +115 to pull off the upset. The over/under is set at 8.5 total runs.
Continue below for my Athletics vs Nationals predictions and MLB picks for Tuesday, August 5, as well as probable pitchers, betting trends, injury reports and more.
My Athletics vs Nationals Prediction
- Athletics vs Nationals pick: Over 8.5 Runs (-110)
My Nationals vs. Athletics best bet is on the over, with the best price currently available at BetMGM. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Athletics vs Nationals Odds
| Athletics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -190 | 8.5 -110o / -110u | +115 |
| Nationals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +155 | 8.5 -110o / -110u | -135 |
Athletics vs Nationals Preview, Picks
Late in the MLB season, games played in hitter-friendly or high-variance environments — such as in Colorado, Arizona, and Washington — tend to go over the total when the closing line is modest (≤10.5), which appears to be the situation in tonight's matchup between the Athletics and Nationals.
These markets often underestimate run production during the final stretch of the season due to weather conditions (e.g., dry heat in AZ/CO, humid air in DC) and expanded rosters increasing bullpen volatility.
Public perception around fatigue or playoff pressure may further depress totals.
This creates value when betting overs in August to October for these specific home teams, particularly during regular season games.
Athletics vs Nationals Best Bet
- Over 8.5 (-110)
