Anthony Rendon and the slumping Washington Nationals will be taking on their divisional nemesis Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park in a Sunday showdown. Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will broadcast the matchup and the game will get going at 1:20 p.m. ET.
Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves Odds
Sportsbooks have Washington (-125) as the favorite over Atlanta (+115). If you’re thinking this game’s total is going to finish under 8.5 runs, then Vegas is offering -115 odds. Taking the over will give you -105 odds. This game currently has a runline of Nationals -1.5 (+120) and Braves +1.5 (-140).
The Nationals have gone 78-63 SU this year and are 77-63 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 1.8 units for moneyline gamblers, despite having gained 9.8 units ATS. Washington has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Braves, on the other hand, are 89-54 SU and 72-70 ATS. The team has gained 22.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 3.3 units ATS. Atlanta has covered the spread in each of its last seven games and the under has hit in five of those seven.
Neither side has positioned itself as a strong over/under play this year. Atlanta games have a 68-66-8 over/under record in 2019. The Nationals have an over/under record of 67-66-7.
Max Scherzer will get the start for the visiting Nationals. The right-handed Scherzer (9-5, 2.60 ERA) has racked up 207 strikeouts in 148.2 innings so far. He has yet to face Atlanta this year, but he made five starts against the team in 2018, compiling a 2-2 record with a 3.19 ERA and 36 strikeouts.
The Braves will turn to righty Mike Soroka (11-3, 2.53 ERA), who has 119 punchouts and 35 walks as well as a WHIP of 1.10. Soroka is 0-1 with eight strikeouts and a 3.00 ERA over three starts against Washington this year.
Washington’s pitchers have allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starters own a 3.61 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 9.65 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 5.76, along with a WHIP of 1.21.
Nationals hitters have slashed .263/.342/.453 on their way to 5.4 runs scored per game in 2019, including 5.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).
Washington’s hitters have been paced by third baseman Anthony Rendon and outfielder Juan Soto, who collectively have swatted 64 home runs. Rendon is slashing .335/.415/.627 with 32 home runs, 114 RBIs and 107 runs scored, while Soto (.297/.406/.576) is up to 32 homers, 100 RBIs, 97 runs and 12 stolen bases.
For the home team, Atlanta’s pitchers have yielded 4.7 runs per game overall this year. Its starters have an ERA of 4.12, a WHIP of 1.34 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.2. The bullpen has a 4.37 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 9.2 K/9. In 62 divisional games, Braves starters have an ERA of 4.24 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.26.
Atlanta’s hitters have put up 5.4 runs per outing, including 5.6 per game against divisional foes and 5.2 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .214/.349/.455 over its last five matchups and is 5-0 SU during that span.
First baseman Freddie Freeman and second baseman Ozzie Albies have led the Braves’ batters this year. Freeman is slashing .300/.393/.573 with 38 home runs, 115 RBIs and 109 runs scored, and the line for Albies stands at .289/.349/.494 with 21 homers, 75 RBIs, 92 runs and 15 stolen bases.
The Nationals have lost 0.8 units and are 57-46 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 51 of those games, compared to 49 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Braves have netted 14.2 units and are 55-55 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 53 of those games, as opposed to 52 that’ve gone under.
Nationals vs. Braves Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The under has cashed in five of Atlanta’s last seven games.
- The Nationals have lost five of their last six games SU.
- Washington fielders have four errors over the last five games, compared to just zero errors for Atlanta over its last five.
- Each team has hit 15 home runs over its last 10 games.
- The Nationals have a team OPS of .794 this season and an OPS of .783 against right-handed pitchers. The Braves’ OPS stands at .797 overall and .799 against righties.
