Los Angeles Dodgers vs Washington Nationals — Apr 4, 2026 | AI Prediction & Stats

Tyler Glasnow enters with a fresh arm and elite swing-and-miss stuff, and the matchup heavily favors him early. Expect him to lean on the elevated four-seam/curveball combo to neutralize the Nationals’ left-handed core; he should control the first trip through the order, but Daylen Lile’s bat-to-ball skills clip him for a run in the second. Jake Irvin’s command profile is vulnerable to a lineup that punishes mistakes. Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani project quick damage—Freeman’s gap double and Ohtani’s disciplined plate approach set up a two-run first inning. Once Irvin turns the order over, Max Muncy’s opposite-field power and Mookie Betts’ improving timing tack on runs in the third and fifth. Washington’s best chance is to work Glasnow’s pitch count. They scratch a fourth-inning run when Brady House jumps on a first-pitch slider, but Glasnow limits the traffic and hands a lead to a rested relief corps featuring Blake Treinen and Edwin Díaz. Los Angeles’ bullpen has been lights-out this week, yet the Nationals manufacture a seventh-inning rally against middle reliever Will Klein—Joey Wiemer’s plate discipline and CJ Abrams’ speed create a two-run frame that keeps the game within reach. The difference shows up late. Washington’s bullpen depth is thin after a taxing opener, and Tanner Scott’s late fastball life exploits that. A trio of eighth-inning runs—sparked by an Ohtani walk, Betts’ double, and Andy Pages’ line-drive single—pushes the margin back to four. Washington plates a cosmetic run against Jack Dreyer in the ninth, but Díaz closes confidently. Overall, the Dodgers’ superior rotation piece, deeper lineup, and sturdier late-inning arms hold sway, delivering a 9-5 Los Angeles victory and extending their early-season momentum.