In the last of a three-game series between the Washington Nationals (16-15) and the Atlanta Braves (16-15) at Nationals Park, Jordan Zimmermann (2-2, 4.15 ERA) and Alex Wood (1-2, 4.32 ERA) get the ball. The Nationals won the last game 8-6 and Washington leads the series 2-0. The game gets underway at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 10 and will air on FSN-S and MASN2.
Zimmermann has a 3.03 ERA and a 5-2 record in his career against the Braves, but is up against a solid Atlanta offense that’s hitting .255 on the year. Bryce Harper (.292, 25 Rs, 11 HRs, 27 RBIs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 4 with two runs, one home run, and two RBIs. In his career against the Nationals, Wood is 3-2 with a 2.40 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 52 strikeouts. Freddie Freeman (.322, 21 Rs, 5 HRs, 18 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Washington, a -167 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Atlanta. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is seven runs. When playing as the favorite, the Nationals have a 12-11 record and overall money line at -417. They are 6-1 as the favorite over their last 10 games. Over their past 10 games, Washington’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 5.9 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.3. They have been very patient at the plate, ranking fifth in the NL with an average of 3.3 walks per game.
On the other side, the Braves have a record of 9-11 when they are the underdog and are +64 overall with the money line. Against divisional foes, they are 10-12 SU and 5-8 as the underdog. Opposing pitchers have routinely struggled to strike out the Atlanta batters, who average an NL-low 6.3 strikeouts per game. Atlanta’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 6.1 runs per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 4.6.
The Nationals are 4-1 against the Braves this season. The Nationals will take on a left-hander (Wood) in this game and have a 5-2 record against left-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Braves will be the right-hander Zimmermann. They sport a 12-13 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – WSH, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Washington is 9-7, while Atlanta is 6-13.
The Nationals are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Braves have a 3-4 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
It looks like the Nationals have a slight leg up on the Braves, as the Nationals have won their last three games while the Braves have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Braves are 10-4. The Nationals have a 12-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 13th in runs, Atlanta has earned 133 this season. Washington ranks ninth with 136 runs.
Ranking 11th, Atlanta is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 96 this season. Washington ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 102.
The Nationals are 12-6 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Braves are 10-7 when they hit at least one homer.
