In the last of a three-game series between the Washington Nationals (39-33) and the Atlanta Braves (39-33) at Nationals Park, Doug Fister (2-3, 4.80 ERA) and Matt Wisler (1-0, 1.12 ERA) take the mound. The Nationals won the last game 2-1, extending a five-game winning streak. The game gets underway at 4:05 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jun. 25 and will air on SPSO and MASN2.
Fister is 3-1 with a 2.62 ERA against the Braves in his career, but is up against a strong Atlanta offense that’s hitting .258 on the year. Bryce Harper (.340, 53 Rs, 24 HRs, 58 RBIs, 3 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one run and one RBI. The Braves were victorious the last time Wisler pitched. He had a good outing, pitching, going 8.0 innings, giving up one run and striking out two in a 2-1 victory over the Mets. Cameron Maybin (.284, 28 Rs, 6 HRs, 36 RBIs, 13 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday.
Washington is a -170 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. When playing as the favorite, the Nationals have a 30-22 record and overall money line at -185. They are 4-1 as the favorite over their last 10 games. They have been very patient at the plate, ranking fifth in the NL with an average of 3.0 walks per game. Washington’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 2.6 during that span, compared to its 4.1 season average.
On the other side, the Braves have a record of 25-30 when they are the underdog and are +508 overall with the money line. Against divisional opponents, they are 17-17 SU and 12-13 as the underdog. Opposing pitchers have routinely struggled to strike out the Atlanta batters, who average an NL-low 7.1 strikeouts per road game.
The Nationals have gotten the best of the Braves in head-to-head matchups this season, going 7-1. This game will feature Wisler (RHP) on the mound against the Nationals, who have a 27-29 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The right-handed Fister will take the mound against the Braves, who have a 31-31 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – WSH, O/U – Over
Notes
In their last game, the Braves lost by a margin of one run. The Nationals are 12-7 in one-run games. The Braves have a 13-11 record in close games.
When the Nationals play into extra innings, they have a 5-1 record. The Braves are 2-4 when their games exceed nine innings.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Braves are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Nationals have an 18-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Nationals are 7-30. The Braves have a 6-23 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 30th in home runs, Atlanta has hit 42 this season. Washington ranks eighth with 74 home runs.
Washington and Atlanta both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Washington sits at sixth with 8.79 hits per game and Atlanta ranks seventh with 8.77.
Ranking 22nd, Atlanta is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.689). Washington ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .729.
When the Braves allow at least one home run, they are 13-25, well-matched with the Nationals who are 12-19 when allowing at least one homer.
