The Washington Nationals will square off against their division rival Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park. The game gets underway 12:10 p.m. ET and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will broadcast the matchup.
Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves Odds
Atlanta (+115) is coming into this one as the underdog to Washington (-135) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this day game at 8.5 runs (+100 for the over and -120 for the under). The game’s current runline odds stand at -190 for betting the Nationals -1.5 runs and +180 for the Braves +1.5.
The Braves are 3-2 SU and 3-1 ATS. They’ve gained 0.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 2.3 units against the spread (ATS). The Nationals have gone 4-1 SU this year and are 3-1 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 4.0 units for moneyline gamblers this year and 2.3 units ATS.
Atlanta games have an over/under record of 2-0-2 in 2018. Washington has an over/under record of 2-1-1.
The Nationals have gained 3.0 units and are 2-1 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in two of those games, compared to one that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Braves have netted 0.1 units and are 3-1 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in two of those games, compared to zero which went under the total.
Max Scherzer (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will get the start for the visiting Nationals. The right-handed Scherzer struck out 268 hitters across 200 innings last year (31 starts) and finished the season 16-6 overall with a 2.51 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. He made five starts against the Braves in 2017 and compiled a 2-2 record against them with a 4.41 ERA and 37 strikeouts.
The Braves are rolling with righty Mike Foltynewicz (0-0, 3.60 ERA) as their starter. Foltynewicz struck out 143 hitters across 153 innings last year (with 59 walks). Foltynewicz finished the season 10-13 overall with a 4.79 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. He recorded four starts against Washington a year ago and registered a 1-2 record with a 6.64 ERA and 11 strikeouts.
Atlanta’s pitchers have yielded 5.2 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. The team’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 7.15, a WHIP of 1.76 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.1. The bullpen has recorded a solid ERA of just 1.85, a WHIP of 1.32 and a K/9 of 8.1. In five games against NL East foes, Braves starters have an ERA of 7.15 and the bullpen’s ERA is 1.85.
The Atlanta offense has put up 8.2 runs per outing so far this season and the team has a slash-line of .311/.392/.489 to begin the year.
The Braves’ offense has been led by first baseman Freddie Freeman and third baseman Ryan Flaherty. Freeman is slashing .400/.640/.867 with six hits, nine RBIs and eight runs scored, while Flaherty’s line is .474/.545/.632 with nine hits, one RBI and five runs.
Freeman performed well against right-handed pitchers at home last year. In 160 such plate appearances, he slashed .362/.475/.638 (compared to his total season line of .307/.403/.586).
In the visiting dugout, Washington’s pitchers have allowed 5.2 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.03 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 10.55 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 6.60, along with a K-per-9 of 10.20.
The Nationals offense has slashed .266/.381/.508 on its way to 7.0 runs scored per game in 2018.
Outfielders Bryce Harper and Adam Eaton have led Washington’s offense. Harper has six hits, nine RBIs and seven runs scored, while Eaton has eight hits, two homers, five RBIs and eight runs scored.
Compared to his overall season slash line of .317/.411/.596, Harper enjoyed hitting against righties on the road last season, putting up a slash line of .319/.438/.681 across 176 such plate appearances.
Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Trends
The Braves went 9-10 SU against the Nationals in 2017.
The Braves’ bullpen managed an ERA of 4.58 against the Nationals last year.
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