LOS ANGELES — The Angels’ offense answered back against the Washington Nationals after last night’s humbling defeat, 15-9, with a solid 8-2 victory, which was jump-started by an explosive seventh inning where the Halos scored six runs. The long ball was evident throughout the offensive production for the Halos, as Mike Trout catapulted the offense with a game-tying home run, Kevin Newman’s first home run of the season, and a Gustavo Campero homer to put the Nats away and force a rubber match on Sunday afternoon.

Mike Trout, the goat that keeps on giving 🎁 pic.twitter.com/vJOvCOr3F9 — Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) June 29, 2025

Trout mentioned in the post-game presser that he has been seeing the ball frankly better since coming off the IL, and he has been presenting that in the numbers as he is posting a slash line of .231/.345/.447, along with 13 homers in 56 games played this year.

The pivotal seventh inning for the Halos was started by Trout’s game-tying home run on a 0-1 four-seamer down and was immediately followed by a Christian Moore RBI single that gave the Angels their first lead of the ball game. Following that, Newman decided to break out and hit a massive go-ahead three-run homer to break the game wide open, 6-2.

“Just a next-man-up mentality and scratched together six runs,” Newman said to the media in the post-game, “which was enough to hold onto the lead and get the win.”

Halos starter Kyle Hendricks also had a solid outing on the mound against Washington, going five innings, only allowing one earned run on five hits while also striking out five. This start is much better in comparison to his previous start against the Houston Astros, as although he did toss five innings as well, he allowed five runs, three of them earned, on eight hits. Hendricks mentioned in the post-game presser that this start felt better than the last from the first hitter.

Kyle Hendricks on his realization that this outing was different from his last:

“My pregame bullpens were really good. Right from the first hitter I had action down in the zone and was getting foul balls instead of barrels.” @SportingTrib #RepTheHalo — Adrian Medina (@AdrianMedina_16) June 29, 2025

With this victory, the Halos now sit at a 41-41 record and just one game back from a potential Wild Card spot. They will look to take the series against Washington tomorrow, before having a travel day on Monday to Atlanta to play the Braves on Tuesday for three games, then finish off the roadtrip by playing the Blue Jays for three.

Angels are now 1 game from a Wild Card spot 👀 @SportingTrib #RepTheHalo pic.twitter.com/AZRbzT61ZR — Adrian Medina (@AdrianMedina_16) June 29, 2025

Washington Nationals (34-49, fifth in the NL East) vs. Los Angeles Angels (41-41, third in the AL West)

Anaheim, California; Sunday, 4:07 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Nationals: Mitchell Parker (5-8, 4.69 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 59 strikeouts); Angels: Jack Kochanowicz (3-8, 5.49 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 59 strikeouts)

Angels -118, Nationals -102; over/under is 9 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Angels and Washington Nationals play on Sunday with the winner claiming the three-game series.

Los Angeles is 20-19 at home and 41-41 overall. The Angels have hit 124 total home runs to lead the AL.

Washington has an 18-25 record on the road and a 34-49 record overall. The Nationals are 23-9 in games when they scored at least five runs.

Sunday’s game is the third time these teams match up this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Taylor Ward has 17 doubles, a triple, 20 home runs and 56 RBI while hitting .210 for the Angels. Jo Adell is 13 for 38 with a double and five home runs over the last 10 games.

C.J. Abrams has 17 doubles, two triples, 12 home runs and 28 RBI while hitting .286 for the Nationals. Luis Garcia is 13 for 40 with three doubles and a home run over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Angels: 6-4, .249 batting average, 3.96 ERA, outscored opponents by 11 runs

Nationals: 4-6, .275 batting average, 5.38 ERA, outscored by two runs

INJURIES: Angels: Zach Neto: day-to-day (shoulder), Jorge Soler: 10-Day IL (back), Chris Taylor: 10-Day IL (hand), Yoan Moncada: 10-Day IL (knee), Robert Stephenson: 15-Day IL (biceps), Ben Joyce: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Anthony Rendon: 60-Day IL (hip)

Nationals: Keibert Ruiz: 7-Day IL (head), Andrew Chafin: 15-Day IL (hamstring), Dylan Crews: 10-Day IL (back), Paul DeJong: 10-Day IL (face), Orlando Ribalta: 15-Day IL (biceps), Derek Law: 15-Day IL (forearm), DJ Herz: 60-Day IL (elbow), Mason Thompson: 60-Day IL (elbow), Josiah Gray: 60-Day IL (elbow)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Author: BJ Last Updated: June 29, 2025 Game Start: 4:05pm EST

The MLB is in full swing this Sunday with a matchup between the Washington Nationals vs. Los Angeles Angels. Look inside for our prediction and picks. The Washington Nationals (34-49, 18-25 away) face off against the Los Angeles Angels (41-41, 20-19 home) in the final game of their three-game series at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. First pitch is scheduled for 3:07 PM local time, with sunny skies and a warm 84°F forecasted. The Nationals will send left-hander Mitchell Parker (5-8, 4.59 ERA) to the mound, while the Angels counter with right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (3-8, 5.49 ERA). The series is currently tied 1-1, with Washington taking the opener in a 15-9 slugfest and Los Angeles responding with an 8-2 victory in Game 2. Both teams are looking to secure the series win in this rubber match. Don’t go down on strikes! Get our top MLB Betting Picks and increase your bankroll!

Nationals Look to Build Momentum After Offensive Outburst The Nationals’ most recent game was a disappointing 8-2 loss to the Angels, where their offense struggled to replicate the fireworks from their 15-9 victory in the series opener. In that game, Washington’s bats came alive, led by James Wood, who has been a consistent power threat this season with 22 home runs and 64 RBIs. However, the Nationals’ inconsistency has been a recurring theme, as they’ve dropped four of their last six games, including a tough series against the Padres and Dodgers. Their pitching staff has been a weak point, with a team ERA of 4.99 and a WHIP of 1.39, ranking near the bottom of the league in runs allowed. The Nationals’ most recent game was a disappointing 8-2 loss to the Angels, where their offense struggled to replicate the fireworks from their 15-9 victory in the series opener. In that game, Washington’s bats came alive, led by James Wood, who has been a consistent power threat this season with 22 home runs and 64 RBIs. However, the Nationals’ inconsistency has been a recurring theme, as they’ve dropped four of their last six games, including a tough series against the Padres and Dodgers. Their pitching staff has been a weak point, with a team ERA of 4.99 and a WHIP of 1.39, ranking near the bottom of the league in runs allowed. Mitchell Parker will take the mound for Washington, looking to stabilize the rotation. Parker has had an up-and-down season, posting a 4.59 ERA across 86.1 innings with 59 strikeouts and 33 walks. While he’s shown flashes of potential, his 11 home runs allowed highlight his vulnerability to the long ball. The Nationals’ offense, led by CJ Abrams (.287 AVG, .358 OBP) and Wood, will need to provide run support to offset their pitching struggles. Injuries remain a concern, with key players like Keibert Ruiz and Paul DeJong sidelined, further testing the team’s depth.

Angels Aim to Stay Competitive in AL West The Angels bounced back in Game 2 with an 8-2 victory, showcasing their offensive firepower. Taylor Ward, who leads the team with 20 home runs and 55 RBIs, played a pivotal role, while Zach Neto (.275 AVG, .490 SLG) continues to be a reliable contributor. Despite their .500 record, the Angels remain in the thick of the AL West race, trailing the division-leading Astros by 7.5 games. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with a 3-2 record over their last five games, including a series win against the Red Sox. The Angels bounced back in Game 2 with an 8-2 victory, showcasing their offensive firepower. Taylor Ward, who leads the team with 20 home runs and 55 RBIs, played a pivotal role, while Zach Neto (.275 AVG, .490 SLG) continues to be a reliable contributor. Despite their .500 record, the Angels remain in the thick of the AL West race, trailing the division-leading Astros by 7.5 games. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with a 3-2 record over their last five games, including a series win against the Red Sox. Jack Kochanowicz will start for Los Angeles, hoping to improve on his 5.49 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. Kochanowicz has struggled with control, issuing 38 walks in 82 innings, and has been prone to giving up big innings. The Angels’ pitching staff as a whole has been slightly better than Washington’s, with a team ERA of 4.61, but their bullpen has been unreliable at times. Injuries to key players like Anthony Rendon and Jorge Soler have also hampered their lineup depth, though Neto’s return is expected soon.

Best Bets for Washington Nationals vs. Los Angeles Angels

Full-Game Side Bet Insiders Status: Rating: The Nationals have been a strong team against the run line as away underdogs, covering 66.7% of the time (24-12). They’ve also performed well overall as underdogs, covering 60.3% of their games. Meanwhile, the Angels have struggled as home favorites, covering just 33.3% of the time (4-8). Both teams have been inconsistent against the spread, but Washington’s success as an underdog makes them an appealing pick. Additionally, the Nationals have covered the run line in 58.1% of their away games, compared to the Angels’ 42.5% as home favorites. Based on these trends, Washington is a strong pick on the Run Line. Go with the Nationals! Prediction: Washington Nationals +1.5 Full-Game Total Pick Insiders Status: Rating: Both teams have shown tendencies to hit the over in recent games. The Nationals have gone over in 84.6% of games with one day of rest (11-2), while the Angels have hit the over in 51.2% of their home games. The series opener saw a combined 24 runs, and while Game 2 was lower scoring, both teams have the offensive potential to surpass the total. With both starting pitchers struggling this season and the bullpens being unreliable, the over is a strong play. Expect a high-scoring affair, with the total likely to exceed 9.5 runs. Go OVER and Good Luck! Prediction: Over 9.5

Want a second opinion on this pick? For another opinion on this game, check out Washington Nationals vs. Los Angeles Angels Prediction from WinnersandWhiners, our partner site.

Washington (33-48) vs Los Angeles (40-40) June 27, 2025 at 09:38 PM EDT The Line: Betting Odds: Los Angeles -1.5 — Over/Under: +8.5 (Get latest betting odds)

In this article, we will formulate a Nationals vs Angels prediction for this MLB game on Friday, June 27, at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

The Washington Nationals (33-48, 17-24 Away) will conclude their three-series road trip with three games against teh Angels. Previously, they managed to win one game against the Dodgers and Padres, but still lost both series. In a rubber match against the Padres, the Nats even failed to score in a 1-0 defeat. MacKenzie Gore took the loss after allowing one run on five hits with six strikeouts and three walks in 6.0 innings.

This year, the Nationals average 4.42 runs per game (18th in the MLB) on a .241/.307/.389 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Nationals’ staff has a 4.96 ERA (28th) and 1.38 WHIP (24th). James Wood leads the Nationals with a .277 batting average, 22 home runs, and 63 RBI this season.

The projected starting pitcher for the Nationals is Jake Irvin, who is 6-3 in 16 starts this season, with a 4.18 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 94.2 innings.

Los Angeles Angels Betting Preview

The Los Angeles Angels (40-40, 19-18 Home) recorded their second sweep in June. After sweeping the Athletics earlier this month, the Angels were better than the Boston Red Sox in three games in Anaheim. In the latest 5-2 victory, Jo Adell and Travis d’Arnaud led the offense with two RBI apiece, while Yusei Kikuchi got the win after allowing two runs (none earned) on three hits with a season-high 12 strikeouts and one walk across 7.0 innings of work.

This season, the Angels average 4.22 runs per game (17th in the MLB) on a .227/.292/.405 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Angels’ staff has a 4.49 ERA (24th) and 1.44 WHIP (28th). Taylor Ward leads the Angels with a .208 batting average, 19 home runs, and 53 RBI this season.

Jose Soriano will take the mound for the Angels on Friday. The 26-year-old right-hander has a 5-5 record in 16 starts this year with a 3.39 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 93.0 innings.

Why the Angels will beat the Nationals

The Angels have won each of their last four games at Angel Stadium of Anaheim against teams that held a losing record.

The Nationals have lost eight of their last 10 road games.

The Angels have covered the run line in each of their last six games.

Total Runs Facts

Four of the Angels’ last five home games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.

Each of the Nationals’ last three games against AL West opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.

The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Nationals’ last five games.

The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the last seven night games between the Nationals and Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

Matchup/League Facts

The Angels rank 29th in the league for batting average this season (.227).

The Angels rank 29th in the league for on-base percentage this season (.292).

The Nationals rank 4th in the league for strikeouts against this season (612).

The Nationals rank 27th in the league for hits allowed this season (715).

Nationals vs Angels Prediction

The teams have traded wins in the past couple of years, each recording five in the previous ten H2H encounters. I am going with the Angels in this one, not only because they are in better form, but also because Jose Soriano has better numbers than Jake Irvin this season. Soriano bounced back from a weak display against the Red Sox with three straight quality starts, allowing only two runs along the way. Irvin, on the other hand, surrendered multiple runs in eight of his previous nine starts, including the last five. Back the Angels.

Oliver Zivic’s Pick: Angels ML

Padres Prepare for Decisive Showdown Against Nationals

As the San Diego Padres gear up for a vital rubber match against the Washington Nationals at Petco Park, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation. This three-game series has already seen its share of ups and downs, with the Padres rebounding from an initial defeat to claim victory in Game 2. The stakes are high as both teams vie for crucial standings in the tightly contested league.

Bogaerts’ Injury Raises Concerns

However, the excitement is tempered by a significant absence in the Padres lineup: shortstop Xander Bogaerts. His exclusion comes after a concerning incident during the previous game, where he sprinted home on a grounder, prompting fears of a potential injury. Bogaerts has been a pivotal figure for the Padres this season, showcasing not only his exceptional skills but also his leadership on the field. The decision to sideline him underscores the team’s commitment to player health, especially as they navigate the critical final stretch of the season.

The Impact of Bogaerts on the Team

Bogaerts’ presence in the lineup extends beyond his batting average; it embodies the spirit and determination of the Padres. His ability to perform under pressure and his experience in high-stakes situations make him an invaluable asset. In his absence, the Padres will need to rally together, drawing on their collective talent and resilience to compensate for the loss of one of their key players.

Looking Ahead: The Importance of the Series

With the rubber match looming, the Padres are not just playing for a win; they are fighting to maintain momentum and secure their position in the playoff race. The Nationals, too, are eager to capitalize on any opportunity to improve their standings. This matchup is more than just a game; it is a testament to the teams’ aspirations and determination as the season approaches its climax.

A Moment of Reflection

As the Padres take the field without Bogaerts, they are reminded of the fragility of sports—a single moment can shift the trajectory of a season. The team’s ability to adapt and rise to the occasion will be tested, but it also presents a chance for other players to step up and showcase their capabilities. The outcome of this game may well be a defining moment in their journey, highlighting the essence of teamwork, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of victory.