MLB Baseball
2026-09-07 - Washington Nationals at San Diego Padres
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : Major League Baseball
Monday 7th September 2026 - Scheduled 5:10pm EST
10:10pm (British Time)
Preview
Just under three weeks remain in the regular season and it is becoming more and more likely that the final series between the San Diego Padres (75-68) and Arizona Diamondbacks is going to determine the last Wild Card spot in the National League. There is still time for one of these teams to separate from each other, but the Padres begin this week in the Major League 0.5 games behind the Diamondbacks for the third Wild Card place.
Even now, both teams may feel they could yet drag back either the Philadelphia Phillies or Chicago Cubs into the Wild Card battle, but it does look like three of those four teams will be playing in the post-season and the one left out will be heading into the off-season filled with regret.
Nineteen games remain for the Padres, which makes those three left against the Diamondbacks feel very important, but the next ten are all against teams with losing records.
This run begins with a three game home series with the Washington Nationals (67-78) who have lost four in a row while the San Diego Padres were picking up two wins in three games against the New York Yankees.
Washington have overachieved to some extent, but they have clearly taken the foot off the pedal around the trade deadline and that is now reflected in the current record. The Nationals will give the ball to Jake Irvin in the opener of this three game set and they will be hoping to see a strong end to the season from the fourth year pitcher who probably has three starts left in him.
Jake Irvin has had an injury impacted season with eighteen starts made and he has a 2-8 record and 5.57 ERA in 2026.
The pitcher had taken three decision defeats in succession in August when allowing at least four runs each time he stepped onto the mound, but Jake Irvin has recovered in the last couple of starts. While he has not been given the decision win, Jake Irvin has only allowed three runs in a little over 8 Innings thrown across those two starts as he prepares to start against the San Diego Padres for the first time since 2023.
The Padres will counter by handing the ball to Nick Pivetta- the veteran has had a very difficult year in terms of injury, but is going to be making his fifth start for San Diego in 2026. He has a 1-2 record and 4.50 ERA in his four starts so far, but that ERA has been impacted by allowing six runs in his opening start and Nick Pivetta looked pretty good in the last three starts, albeit back in April.
After a stint in the Minor Leagues, Nick Pivetta is hoping to given the Padres a late season boost in the starting rotation, although he is not expected to go that deep into this game.
Last season Nick Pivetta pitched twice against the Nationals and allowed a single run in 13 Innings thrown.
Back in May, Washington rallied to take two of three from the San Diego Padres having dropped the opening game.
Prediction
Both starting pitchers are unlikely to be pitching beyond the 5th Inning and it is the San Diego Padres who have the more consistent bullpen.
It can be difficult backing a pitcher returning after a significant layoff like Nick Pivetta, but he has shown what he can do on the mound and that gives the Padres the edge over the Washington Nationals.
The batting lineup may be able to get Jake Irvin out soon enough to attack the struggling Nationals bullpen and that may allow the home team to produce a strong win on the day.
The Pick :
San Diego Padres 6-3 Washington Nationals
