The Colorado Rockies visit the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, August 26, and two struggling clubs meet at Nationals Park. Washington sits as a modest home favorite on the moneyline. Colorado counters with right-hander Tanner Gordon, while the Nationals hand the ball to knuckleballer Matt Waldron. Neither starter has pitched well this season. Our lean sides with the home team and a manageable scoreboard, and the analysis below walks through both plays.
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Colorado Rockies vs. Washington Nationals — Time & How to Watch
| Where | Nationals Park, Washington, D.C. |
| When | Wednesday, August 26 — 6:45 PM ET |
| TV | Nationals TV network / MLB.TV (Fubo) |
Colorado Rockies vs. Washington Nationals Betting Preview
Pitching sets the tone, and both arms enter under pressure. Gordon carries a 0-4 record and a 5.75 ERA with a 1.49 WHIP through his rookie year. He has struggled to miss barrels, and opponents have hit him hard. Waldron, a knuckleballer claimed off waivers in August, owns a 1-2 mark and a bloated 7.54 ERA. His 1.62 WHIP points to steady traffic on the bases. In short, neither side should feel settled with its starter.
Both teams arrive in a rut. Washington enters at 62-72 and sits fourth in the NL East. Colorado is 51-81 and anchored in fifth in the NL West. The Rockies have been especially poor away from Denver, where their record sits at 24-43. Each lineup has gone quiet lately, with batting averages sinking through a rough stretch. In Tuesday’s Rockies-Nationals matchup, Washington again profiled as the favorite. Still, the Nationals hold home field and the cleaner recent run-prevention numbers.
On offense, Colorado leans on Hunter Goodman for power, while Washington counts on CJ Abrams to spark the top of its order. Neither group has produced much over the past week, though. That backdrop shapes the total more than any single at-bat.
Colorado Rockies vs. Washington Nationals Odds
| Run Line | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockies | +1.5 (-200) | +107 | U 9.0 (-115) |
| Nationals | -1.5 (+170) | -128 | O 9.0 (-105) |
Odds accurate as of Wednesday, August 26, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest MLB Odds – Futures – Props
Colorado Rockies vs. Washington Nationals — Who Is the Public Betting?
| Rockies | 45% | 55% | Nationals |
See the latest MLB Public Betting Splits and make smarter wagers!
Rockies vs. Nationals Prediction — Which Club Blinks First?
The cleanest read starts with the home team. Washington is not a strong club, but it profiles as the steadier of two sinking teams. Over their recent slide, the Nationals kept games close and lost by slim margins. The Rockies, by contrast, were outscored by a wide gap across the same stretch. Colorado’s road profile is the bigger red flag. A 24-43 mark away from Coors Field speaks to a lineup that travels poorly.
Gordon gives the Nationals a target. His high hit rate invites contact, and even a cold Washington lineup can scratch across enough at home. Waldron is the obvious counterpoint. A knuckleball can unravel fast, and a 7.54 ERA leaves little cushion if the pitch is not dancing. That is the case against laying the price.
Because both offenses are stuck, this projects as a tight, low-event game. That points to the moneyline rather than the run line. A home favorite is a poor bet at -1.5, since the game ends the moment Washington takes a late lead. The market also nudged the Nationals from -121 toward the current number, which tracks the heavy public money on that side. This is a lean, not a lock, and Colorado’s power bats can flip it with one swing.
The Pick: Nationals Moneyline (-128)
Rockies vs. Nationals Prediction — Offenses to Struggle?
The total tells a quieter story. Both lineups are mired in extended slumps, and neither has hit its weight over the past week. When two cold offenses meet, posted totals often play high. Washington’s season has leaned under slightly, and Colorado’s road games have trended the same way.
The counter-case is real, and it rests on the pitching. Two starters with ERAs near or above 6.00 can turn any night into a track meet. Waldron’s knuckleball is the wild card, since a bad night could produce crooked numbers early. Even so, the total sat frozen at 9 from the open, a sign the market is not bracing for a shootout. With both bats quiet and neither the park nor the price screaming for runs, the value tilts to the low side.
The Pick: Under 9 (-115)
Final Thoughts and Bonus Angle
This is a matchup between two teams playing out the string, and the value hides in the details rather than the star power. Watch the first three innings closely. If Waldron’s knuckleball lacks bite, the under thesis is the first to wobble. If Gordon settles in, Washington’s slim edge grows. The late innings will hinge on which bullpen blinks, and both have been leaned on hard during these losing runs.
Recap of our picks for Wednesday: the Nationals Moneyline (-128) as the top play, and the Under 9 (-115) as the supporting angle. Both are honest leans in a low-conviction spot, so stake them accordingly.
MLB Rockies vs. Nationals FAQ: Wednesday August 26, 2026
What time does the Rockies vs. Nationals game start?
First pitch is set for 6:45 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. The two clubs are in the middle of a four-game series that wraps up on Thursday afternoon.
What channel is the Rockies vs. Nationals game on?
The game airs on the Nationals and Rockies regional TV networks, with an out-of-market stream available on MLB.TV. Fans can also watch through Fubo. Local blackout rules may apply to the MLB.TV feed depending on your region.
Who is pitching for the Nationals on August 26?
Right-hander Matt Waldron starts for Washington, carrying a 1-2 record and a 7.54 ERA. The Rockies counter with rookie right-hander Tanner Gordon, who owns a 0-4 mark and a 5.75 ERA. Both starters have struggled for much of the season.
Where are the Rockies and Nationals playing today?
The game takes place at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., the Nationals’ home ballpark. Colorado is the visiting team for this Wednesday matchup, the third game of a four-game set between the two clubs.
Where do the Rockies and Nationals stand in their divisions?
Washington sits fourth in the NL East at 62-72, while Colorado is fifth in the NL West at 51-81. Both teams are well out of the playoff race and are giving younger players a longer look down the stretch.