The Atlanta Braves will head north to Nationals Park to take on their NL East foe Washington Nationals. The action will begin at 7:05 p.m. ET and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will be airing the game.
Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals Odds
Vegas has listed Atlanta (+100) as the underdog to Washington (-120). The total sits at seven runs and bettors can wager on the over for -115 and the under for -105. The game’s current runline odds stand at +225 for taking the Braves +1.5 runs and -245 for the Nationals -1.5.
The Nationals are 4-5 SU and 3-5 ATS. They’ve lost 2.4 units for moneyline bettors and 2.1 units against the spread (ATS). The Braves have gone 6-3 SU this year and are 7-1 ATS. Overall, the team’s accumulated 3.5 units for moneyline gamblers over the early portions of the year and 6.5 units ATS.
Washington games have an over/under record of 4-2-2 so far in 2018. Atlanta has an over/under record of 4-1-3.
The Braves have gained 3.5 units and are 7-1 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in four of those games, compared to one that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Nationals have lost 1.9 units and are 2-4 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in four of those games, compared to one that’ve gone under.
Right-hander Julio Teheran (0-0, 10.13 ERA) will get the start for Atlanta. Teheran started 32 games last year while finishing the season 11-13 overall with a 4.49 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. He made four starts against Washington in 2017 and compiled a 3-1 record against the Nationals with a 3.24 ERA and 16 strikeouts.
The Nationals will be turning to righty Max Scherzer (1-1, 1.64 ERA), who recorded 268 strikeouts across 200 innings last year (31 starts). Scherzer finished the season 16-6 overall with a 2.51 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. He made five starts against Atlanta a year ago and compiled a 2-2 record with a 4.41 ERA and 37 strikeouts.
As a unit, Washington’s pitching staff has yielded 5.6 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has a 4.47 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.40 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 10.8 K/9. In six games against divisional opponents, Nationals starters have an ERA of 6.47 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.30.
The Washington hitters are putting up 5.0 runs per contest, including 3.2 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .219/.325/.348 over its last five matchups and is 0-5 SU during that span.
Outfielders Bryce Harper and Adam Eaton have led the Nationals’ offense so far. Harper has 10 hits, six homers, 12 RBIs and 10 runs scored, and Eaton’s line is .345/.424/.655 with 10 hits, five RBIs and 10 runs scored.
Compared to his total season slash line of .297/.393/.462, Eaton performed well against right-handed pitching at home last season, slashing .389/.463/.611 across 41 plate appearances.
In the visiting dugout, Atlanta’s pitchers have allowed 3.7 runs per game and its starters own a 4.80 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 10.00 K/9. The bullpen has managed an outstanding ERA of just 1.40, along with a K/9 of 8.38.
The Braves offense has slashed .285/.369/.475 on its way to 6.9 runs scored per game this season, including over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Atlanta’s hitters have been led by first baseman Freddie Freeman and third baseman Ryan Flaherty. Freeman is slashing .367/.558/.733 with 11 hits, 11 RBIs and 10 runs scored, while Flaherty is hitting .414/.514/.552 with 12 hits, three RBIs and seven runs scored.
Atlanta Braves vs. 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 have won four of their last five games SU
The Nationals’ bullpen managed an ERA of 5.30 against the Braves last year.
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