Baltimore Orioles vs Washington Nationals — Mar 23, 2026 | AI Prediction & Stats

Expect Washington to rebound strongly after yesterday’s lopsided defeat. The Nationals hand the ball to Cade Cavalli, whose mid-90s fastball and improving cutter set up well against a Baltimore lineup that has struck out at the third-highest rate over its last ten contests. Grayson Rodriguez counters for the Orioles, but his occasional command lapses have led to early trouble on the road (1.45 WHIP away from Camden Yards). Washington’s offense should capitalize early: CJ Abrams has reached base in nine straight games, and Juan Soto (back after a precautionary day off) matches up favorably versus Rodriguez’s four-seam/slider mix. A first-inning RBI double from Soto and a Keibert Ruiz sacrifice fly in the third give the Nats a 2-1 edge. Baltimore levels the game in the fourth on an Adley Rutschman opposite-field homer, but Cavalli settles in, retiring eight of the next nine. The decisive frame comes in the sixth when back-to-back walks force Brandon Hyde to the bullpen; Lane Thomas greets Keegan Akin with a two-run triple off the right-center wall. The Orioles mount a brief rally in the seventh—Gunnar Henderson doubles home two—but Hunter Harvey strands the tying run on third. Kyle Finnegan records a clean ninth, powered by a 98-mph sinker, sealing a tight 5-4 Nationals victory that nudges Washington back to .500 and halts Baltimore’s modest two-game win streak.