The Washington Nationals are set to host their division foe Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park. Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will be showing the matchup and the game is scheduled to get underway at 1:05 p.m. ET.
Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals Odds
Washington (-125) is the favorite over Atlanta (+115) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this afternoon game at 8.5 runs. The odds for betting on the game’s total stand at -120 for the over and +100 for the under. The game’s current runline odds sit at -180 for betting the Braves +1.5 runs and +160 for the Nationals -1.5 runs.
The Nationals are 6-5 SU and 4-6 ATS. The team’s lost 3.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 2.1 units against the spread (ATS). Washington has covered the spread only twice in its last seven games and the total has gone over in three of those seven. The Braves have gone 6-5 SU this year and are 8-2 ATS. Overall, the team’s accumulated 3.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and 6.5 units ATS. Atlantahas covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven.
Washington games have a 5-3-2 over/under record so far in 2018. Atlanta has an over/under record of 4-3-3.
The Braves have gained 2.5 units and are 7-2 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in four of those games, as opposed to two that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Nationals have lost 2.6 units and are 3-5 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in five of those games, as opposed to two which went under the total.
The right-handed Brandon McCarthy (2-0, 3.97 ERA) will get the nod for Atlanta. McCarthy started 16 games last year while finishing the season 6-4 overall with a 3.98 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP.
The Nationals are going with righty A.J. Cole (0-1, 24.55 ERA) as their starter. Cole started 8 games last year while finishing the season 3-5 overall with a 3.81 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.
Washington’s pitching staff has given up 4.6 runs per game overall this season as a unit. The club’s starters have a 3.34 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.51 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 10.7 K/9. In eight games against divisional foes, Nationals starters have an ERA of 4.22 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.50.
The Washington offense is putting up 4.6 runs per contest, including 3.0 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .222/.314/.339 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The Nationals’ hitters have been led by outfielders Bryce Harper and Adam Eaton. Harper is hitting .333/.529/.879 with 11 hits, six homers, 12 RBIs and 12 runs scored, and Eaton is batting .345 with 10 hits, five RBIs and 10 runs scored.
Eaton enjoyed hitting against righties at home last year, slashing .389/.463/.611 across 41 such plate appearances (compared to his total season line of .297/.393/.462).
In the other dugout, Atlanta’s pitchers have allowed 3.5 runs per game and its starters own a 4.50 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 9.64 K/9. The bullpen has an excellent ERA of just 1.24, along with a K-per-9 of 8.86.
Braves hitters have slashed .259/.338/.427 on their way to 5.7 runs scored per game this season, including over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Atlanta’s hitters have been led by first baseman Freddie Freeman and shortstop Dansby Swanson. Freeman is slashing .306/.500/.611 with 11 hits, 11 RBIs and 10 runs scored, while Swanson is hitting .366/.381/.585 with 15 hits, eight RBIs and five runs scored.
Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Notes
The Braves have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games. The Nationals have hit 14 over their last 10.
Atlanta has averaged 23.1 runs + hits + errors over its last 10 outings and 16.6 over its last five.
The Braves have lost three of their last four games SU.
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