The Atlanta Braves will play their divisional rival Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will be televising the action and the game will get underway at 1:05 p.m. ET.
Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals Odds
Vegas is listing Washington (-125) as the favorite over Atlanta (+115). Bettors can gamble on the games total with odds listed at -120 for over 8.5 runs and even money (+100) for under 8.5. The games runline odds stand at -180 for taking the Braves +1.5 runs and +160 for the Nationals -1.5 runs.
The Braves have gone 6-5 SU this year and are 8-2 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 3.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and 6.5 units ATS. Atlanta has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in three of those seven. The Nationals are 6-5 SU and 4-6 ATS. The team has lost 3.1 units for moneyline bettors and 2.1 units ATS. Washington has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the total has gone over in three of those seven.
Washington games have an over/under record of 5-3-2 thus far in 2018. Braves games have gone over four times, gone under three times and pushed on three occasions.
The Braves have gained 2.5 units and are 7-2 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in four of those games, compared to two that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Nationals have lost 2.6 units and are 3-5 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in five of those games, compared to two that went under.
Right-hander Brandon McCarthy (2-0, 3.97 ERA) will get the start for the visiting Braves. McCarthy started 16 games last year and finished the season 6-4 overall with a 3.98 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP.
The Nationals will put the ball in the hands of righty A.J. Cole (0-1, 24.55 ERA), who started 8 games last year while finishing the season 3-5 overall with a 3.81 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.
As a unit, Washington’s pitching staff has allowed 4.6 runs per game overall this year. The teams starters have an ERA of 3.34, a WHIP of 1.17 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.7. The bullpen has a 5.51 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 10.7 K/9. In eight games against NL East opponents, Nationals starters have an ERA of 4.22 and the bullpens ERA is 4.50.
Washington’s hitters are putting up 4.6 runs per outing, including 3.0 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .222/.314/.339 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that span.
Outfielders Bryce Harper and Adam Eaton have led the Nationals batters this year. Harper is slashing .333/.529/.879 with 11 hits, six homers, 12 RBIs and 12 runs scored, and Eaton’s line is .345/.424/.655 with 10 hits, five RBIs and 10 runs.
Eaton enjoyed hitting against righty pitching at home in 2017. Across 41 such plate appearances, he slashed .389/.463/.611 (compared to his overall season line of .297/.393/.462).
For the visitors, Atlanta’s pitching staff allowed 3.5 runs per game and its starters own a 4.50 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 9.64 K/9. The bullpen has managed an excellent ERA of just 1.24, along with a WHIP of 1.46 and a K-per-9 of 8.86.
Braves hitters have slashed .259/.338/.427 on their way to 5.7 runs scored per game in 2018, including over the teams last five outings (2-3 SU).
Atlanta’s hitters have been led by first baseman Freddie Freeman and shortstop Dansby Swanson. Freeman is slashing .306/.500/.611 with 11 hits, 11 RBIs and 10 runs scored, while Swanson is hitting .366 with 15 hits, eight RBIs and five runs scored.
Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The Braves have lost three of their last four games SU.
- Washington has recorded 21.9 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 18.2 over its last five.
- The Braves have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games. The Nationals have hit 14 over their last 10.
