The Atlanta Braves are heading north to take on their division rival Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will be airing the matchup and the game is scheduled to get going at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Atlanta (+100) as the underdog to Washington (-120). The total sits at seven runs and bettors can wager on the over for -115 or the under for -105. Bettors can also wager on the games spread with the runline odds sitting at Braves +1.5 runs (+225) and Nationals -1.5 runs (-245).
The Braves have gone 6-3 SU this year and are 7-1 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 3.5 units for moneyline bettors this year and 6.5 units ATS. The Nationals are 4-5 SU and 3-5 ATS. They’ve lost 2.4 units for moneyline bettors and 2.1 units ATS.
Washington games have an over/under record of 4-2-2 thus far in 2018. The Braves have an over/under record of 4-1-3.
The Braves have gained 3.5 units and are 7-1 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in four of those games, compared to one that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Nationals have lost 1.9 units and are 2-4 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in four of those games, as opposed to one that’ve gone under.
Julio Teheran (0-0, 10.13 ERA) will get the start for the visiting Braves. The right-handed Teheran started 32 games last year while finishing the season 11-13 overall with a 4.49 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. He made four starts against Washington in 2017 and compiled a 3-1 record against the Nationals with a 3.24 ERA and 16 strikeouts.
The Nationals are turning to righty Max Scherzer (1-1, 1.64 ERA), who struck out 268 hitters in 200 innings last year (31 starts), while finishing the season 16-6 overall with a 2.51 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. He recorded five starts against Atlanta a year ago and compiled a 2-2 record with a 4.41 ERA and 37 strikeouts.
As a unit, Washington’s pitchers have yielded 5.6 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have a 4.47 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.40 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 10.8 K/9. In six games against divisional foes, Nationals starters have an ERA of 6.47 and the bullpens ERA is 4.30.
The Washington offense has put up 5.0 runs per contest, including 3.2 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .219/.325/.348 over its last five matchups and is 0-5 SU during that stretch.
Outfielders Bryce Harper and Adam Eaton have led the Nationals hitters this year. Harper has 10 hits, six homers, 12 RBIs and 10 runs scored, while Eaton’s line is .345/.424/.655 with 10 hits, five RBIs and 10 runs.
Compared to his overall season slash line of .297/.393/.462, Eaton enjoyed batting against righty pitching at home last season, producing .389/.463/.611 across 41 plate appearances.
In the other dugout, Atlanta’s pitching staff allowed 3.7 runs per game and its starters own a 4.80 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 10.00 K/9. The bullpen has managed an outstanding ERA of just 1.40, along with a WHIP of 1.47 and a K-per-9 of 8.38.
Braves hitters have slashed .285/.369/.475 on their way to 6.9 runs scored per game in 2018, including over the teams last five contests (4-1 SU).
Atlanta’s offense has been led by first baseman Freddie Freeman and third baseman Ryan Flaherty. Freeman is hitting .367/.558/.733 with 11 hits, 11 RBIs and 10 runs scored, while Flaherty (.414/.514/.552) is up to 12 hits, three RBIs and seven runs scored.
Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The Braves went 9-10 SU against the Nationals last season.
- The Braves have won four of their last five games SU.
- The Braves bullpen managed 4.58 ERA against the Nationals last year.
