Joel De La Cruz (0-6, 3.72 ERA) and Gio Gonzalez (8-9, 4.28 ERA) are on the hill in the last of a four-game series between the Atlanta Braves (44-79) and the Washington Nationals (73-49) at Turner Field. The Braves lost the last game 11-9, continuing a seven-game losing streak. Washington can finish out the series sweep with a win in this game. Action begins at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 21 and can be seen on MASN and FSSO.
De La Cruz pitched 5.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering one run, striking out four and walking two in a 4-2 defeat to the Twins. Freddie Freeman (.287, 70 Rs, 24 HRs, 58 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. Gonzalez went 3.0 innings, surrendering two runs and striking out two in a 6-2 defeat to the Rockies in his last outing. Daniel Murphy (.348, 74 Rs, 23 HRs, 88 RBIs, 3 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Nationals, going 3 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Washington takes on Atlanta as a -165 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at eight runs. The Braves have recorded an overall money line of -1,024 and have shown a weak performance as an underdog this season with a record of 41-67. Atlanta has recorded a disappointing 2-7 record as the underdog over its last 10 games. Atlanta’s pitching staff has been doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 6.6 runs per game, well above its season average of 4.8.
As for their opponent, Washington is coming in with an overall money line of +157 and an impressive record of 62-34 as the favorite. They have been playing solid baseball as favorite with a 29-11 record against NL East foes, and a 34-15 record SU. Offensively, they average 4.8 runs per game, which is good for fourth in the NL. Washington is excellent at drawing walks with 3.5 per game, ranking fourth in the NL. Shifting to the pitching staff and defense, the Nationals allow just 3.6 runs per game, ranking them second in the NL. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Nationals are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.179 for the season.
The Nationals have controlled the season series, 11-1. The Braves have a bad 5-13 record at home (12-27 overall) against left-handed starting pitchers, which is what they’ll be facing when Gonzalez takes the mound. De La Cruz (RHP) will be on the hill against the Nationals, who have a 55-38 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – WAS, O/U – Under
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Washington is 31-20, while Atlanta is 15-29.
The Nationals are coming into this meeting after a high-scoring game where they scored an impressive 11 runs. The Braves have a 0-9 record when opponents score that many runs or more.
When they are outhit, the Braves are 7-54. The Nationals have a 13-28 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 30th in home runs, Atlanta has hit 83 this season. Washington ranks sixth with 162 home runs.
Ranking 11th, Atlanta is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.30 per game. Washington ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 8.63.
Ranking 30th, Atlanta is at the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.675). Washington ranks in the top 10 at seventh with an OPS of .765.
When the Nationals allow at least one home run, they are 41-38. When the Braves allow one or more homers, they have a 19-60 record.
