The Washington Nationals are ready to square off against their NL East foe Atlanta Braves in a Sunday night game. The matchup will be televised nationwide on ESPN and the first pitch is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. ET.
Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves Odds
Washington (receiving +120) is entering this one as the underdog to Atlanta (-130) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this game at 11 runs (-120 for the over and +100 for the under). Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the runline odds coming in at Nationals +1.5 runs (-175) and Braves -1.5 runs (+155).
The Nationals are 52-45 SU and are 52-44 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 7.9 units for moneyline bettors, despite having gained 4.0 units ATS. Washington’s covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in six of those seven. The Braves, on the other hand, are 59-41 SU and 48-51 ATS. They’ve gained 13.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline while earning 1.4 units ATS. Atlanta has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Braves games have a 51-42-6 over/under record in 2019. The Nationals have an over/under record of 44-46-6.
Joe Ross is getting the start for Washington. The right-handed Ross (0-1, 11.05 ERA) has racked up 12 strikeouts in 14.2 innings so far. He’s 0-1 with a 36.00 ERA against Atlanta this year.
The Braves are putting the ball in the right hand of Kevin Gausman (2-5, 6.21 ERA), who’s got 64 strikeouts and 24 walks this season as well as a 1.51 WHIP. Gausman is 0-1 with a 72.00 ERA in one start against Washington this year.
Atlanta’s pitchers have yielded 4.8 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starters have a 4.53 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.01 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 9.4 K/9. In 39 games against NL East opponents, Braves starters have an ERA of 4.96 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.60.
Atlanta’s hitters have produced 5.3 runs per contest, including 5.5 per game against divisional foes and 3.2 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .240/.326/.368 over its last five contests and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
Left fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. and first baseman Freddie Freeman have led the Braves’ offense this year. Acuna Jr. is slashing .293/.375/.503 with 23 home runs, 56 RBIs, 76 runs and 21 stolen bases, while Freeman’s line is .297/.384/.564 with 25 homers, 77 RBIs and 73 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Washington’s pitching staff allowed 4.5 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.52 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 9.83 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 5.89, along with a WHIP of 1.19.
Nationals hitters have slashed .256/.332/.435 on their way to 5.0 runs scored per game this season, including 5.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 6.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Washington’s hitters have been paced by right fielder Adam Eaton and third baseman Anthony Rendon. Eaton is hitting .287/.367/.396 with six home runs, 25 RBIs and 55 runs scored, while Rendon (.321/.403/.612) has produced 20 homers, 67 RBIs and 70 runs scored.
The Nationals have lost 1.5 units and are 42-32 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 33 of those games, as opposed to 38 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Braves have netted 7.7 units and are 37-40 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s cashed in 38 of those games, compared to 35 that went under.
Nationals vs. Braves Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Braves, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The over has cashed in three of Atlanta’s last seven games.
- The Nationals have an OPS of .768 this season and an OPS of .737 against right-handed pitchers. The Braves’ OPS sits at .794 overall and .788 against righties.
- Washington has posted 24.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 27.0 over its last five.
- The Nationals have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games, including five over their last five.
