The Atlanta Braves will face their NL East foe Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. The game gets underway 7:05 p.m. ET and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will be televising the matchup.
Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Atlanta (+200) as the underdog to Washington (-220). The total sits at 7.5 runs and bettors can wager on the over or the under for -110. The game’s runline odds stand at -110 for taking the Braves +1.5 runs and -110 for the Nationals -1.5.
The Nationals are 5-5 SU and 3-6 ATS. They’ve lost 4.2 units for moneyline bettors and 3.1 units against the spread (ATS). The Braves are 6-4 SU and have gone 8-1 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 4.8 units for gamblers taking the moneyline over the early portions of the year and 7.5 units ATS.
Washington games have a 5-2-2 over/under record so far in 2018. Atlanta has an over/under record of 4-2-3.
The Braves have gained 3.5 units and are 7-1 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in four of those games, as opposed to one that’ve hit the under against righties. On the other hand, the Nationals have lost 3.6 units and are 2-5 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in five of those games, compared to one that’ve gone under.
Mike Foltynewicz (1-0, 2.61 ERA) will get the nod for the visiting Braves. The right-handed Foltynewicz struck out 143 hitters in 153 innings last year (28 starts) but finished the season 10-13 overall with a 4.79 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. He made four starts against the Nationals in 2017 and put together a 1-2 record against them with a 6.64 ERA and 11 strikeouts.
The Nationals have tabbed righty Stephen Strasburg (1-1, 3.65 ERA) as their starter. Strasburg struck out 204 hitters over 175 innings last year with only 47 walks. Strasburg finished the season 15-4 overall with a 2.52 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. He made four starts against the Braves a year ago and assembled a 2-1 record with a 5.16 ERA and 31 strikeouts.
As a unit, Washington’s pitching staff has allowed 5.0 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.79, a WHIP of 1.25 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.9. The bullpen has a 5.40 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 10.8 K/9. In seven games against divisional foes, Nationals starters have an ERA of 5.05 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.30.
Washington’s offense has put up 4.7 runs per contest, including 2.4 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .211/.325/.310 over its last five matchups and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
Outfielders Bryce Harper and Adam Eaton have led the Nationals’ hitters this year. Harper is slashing .345/.553/.966 with 10 hits, six homers, 12 RBIs and 11 runs scored, and Eaton’s line is .345/.424/.655 with 10 hits, five RBIs and 10 runs.
Eaton performed well against righties at home last season. Across 41 such plate appearances, he slashed .389/.463/.611 (his overall season line was .297/.393/.462).
In the visiting dugout, Atlanta’s pitchers have allowed 3.5 runs per game and its starters own a 4.59 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 10.06 K/9. The bullpen has an excellent ERA of just 1.33, along with a WHIP of 1.47 and a K/9 of 8.63.
The Braves offense has slashed .267/.347/.442 on its way to 6.2 runs scored per game in 2018, including over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Atlanta’s offense has been led by first baseman Freddie Freeman and third baseman Ryan Flaherty. Freeman is slashing .333/.522/.667 with 11 hits, 11 RBIs and 10 runs scored, while Flaherty is hitting .375 with 12 hits, three RBIs and seven runs scored.
Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Notes
The Nationals went 10-9 SU against the Braves in 2017.
The Braves’ bullpen managed 4.58 ERA against the Nationals last year.
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