The Atlanta Braves will be squaring off against their division rival Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. The matchup will begin at 7:05 p.m. ET and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will broadcast the game.
Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals Odds
Vegas has listed Washington (-220) as the favorite over Atlanta (+200). The total sits at 7.5 runs and gamblers can wager on the over or the under for -110. The game’s current runline odds stand at -110 for taking the Braves +1.5 runs and -110 for the Nationals -1.5.
The Nationals are 5-5 SU and 3-6 ATS. The team’s lost 4.2 units for moneyline bettors and 3.1 units against the spread (ATS). Washington has covered the spread just once in its last seven games and the total went over in four of those seven. The Braves are 6-4 SU and have gone 8-1 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 4.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and 7.5 units ATS. Atlanta has covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in three of those seven.
Washington games have an over/under record of 5-2-2 so far in 2018. The Braves have an over/under record of 4-2-3.
The Braves have gained 3.5 units and are 7-1 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in four of those games, as opposed to one that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Nationals have lost 3.6 units and are 2-5 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in five of those games, compared to one which went under the total.
The right-handed Mike Foltynewicz (1-0, 2.61 ERA) will get the nod for the visiting Braves. Foltynewicz recorded 143 strikeouts across 153 innings last year (28 starts) while finishing the season 10-13 overall with a 4.79 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. He made four starts against the Nationals in 2017 and put together a 1-2 record against them with a 6.64 ERA and 11 strikeouts.
The Nationals are turning to righty Stephen Strasburg (1-1, 3.65 ERA), who recorded 204 strikeouts across 175 innings last year with only 47 walks. Strasburg finished the season 15-4 overall with a 2.52 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. He made four starts against Atlanta a year ago and compiled a 2-1 record with a 5.16 ERA and 31 strikeouts.
As a unit, Washington’s pitchers have given up 5.0 runs per game overall this year. The club’s starters have a 3.79 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.40 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 10.8 K/9. In seven games against divisional opponents, Nationals starters have an ERA of 5.05 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.30.
The Washington hitters have put up 4.7 runs per outing, including 2.4 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .211/.325/.310 over its last five contests and is 1-4 SU during that span.
Outfielders Bryce Harper and Adam Eaton have led the Nationals’ offense this year. Harper is slashing .345/.553/.966 with 10 hits, six homers, 12 RBIs and 11 runs scored, and Eaton’s line is .345/.424/.655 with 10 hits, five RBIs and 10 runs scored.
Eaton enjoyed batting against righty pitching at home in 2017, slashing .389/.463/.611 across 41 such plate appearances (compared to his total season line of .297/.393/.462).
In the visiting dugout, Atlanta’s pitchers have allowed 3.5 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.59 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 10.06 K/9. The bullpen has an excellent ERA of just 1.33, along with a WHIP of 1.47 and a K/9 of 8.63.
The Braves offense has slashed .267/.347/.442 on its way to 6.2 runs scored per game this year, including over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
First baseman Freddie Freeman and third baseman Ryan Flaherty have led Atlanta’s offense. Freeman is hitting .333/.522/.667 with 11 hits, 11 RBIs and 10 runs scored, while Flaherty is hitting .375 with 12 hits, three RBIs and seven runs scored.
Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The Nationals went 10-9 SU against the Braves in 2017.
- The Braves’ bullpen posted 4.58 ERA against the Nationals last year.</li.
