The Washington Nationals are ready to play their divisional rival Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will be airing the action.
Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves Odds
Washington (+125) is coming into this one as the underdog against Atlanta (-135) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this game at 9 runs. The odds for betting on the game’s total stand at -110 for both the over and the under. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds sitting at -170 for the Nationals +1.5 runs and +150 for the Braves -1.5 runs.
The Nationals have gone 75-74 SU this year and are 69-79 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 25.1 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 13.6 units ATS. Washington’s covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Braves, on the other hand, are 83-65 SU and 76-70 ATS. The team has gained 21.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 2.2 units ATS. Atlanta has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Braves games have an over/under record of 69-71-6 in 2018. The Nationals have been a decent under bet with a total record of 68-77-3.
Right-hander Tanner Roark will get the nod for the visiting Nationals. Roark (8-15, 4.37 ERA) has recorded 143 strikeouts in 175 innings so far. He’s 1-2 with nine strikeouts and a 4.50 ERA against Atlanta this year (two starts).
The Braves are putting the ball in the hands of lefty Sean Newcomb (12-8, 3.82 ERA), who has 148 strikeouts and 74 walks, as well as a WHIP of 1.31. Newcomb is 1-1 with 14 strikeouts and a 4.15 ERA across three starts against Washington this year.
As a unit, Atlanta’s pitching staff has allowed 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018. The team’s starters have a 3.49 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.08 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 8.9 K/9. In 65 games against divisional foes, Braves starters have an ERA of 3.02 and the bullpen’s ERA is 2.98.
The Atlanta hitters are putting up 4.7 runs per contest, including 5.1 per game against divisional foes and 4.2 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .242/.337/.366 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that span.
Right fielder Nick Markakis and first baseman Freddie Freeman have led the Braves’ offense this year. Markakis is slashing .306/.372/.455 with 14 home runs, 91 RBIs and 76 runs scored, and Freeman’s line is .304/.385/.496 with 21 homers, 87 RBIs and 90 runs.
For the visiting squad, Washington’s pitchers have allowed 4.2 runs per game and its starters own a 4.06 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 8.91 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.89, along with a WHIP of 1.24 and a K/9 of 8.44.
The Nationals offense has slashed .252/.333/.415 on its way to 4.7 runs scored per game this season, including 5.3 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Anthony Rendon have led Washington’s offense. The speedy Turner is slashing .267/.338/.405 with 17 home runs, 63 RBIs, 91 runs and 39 stolen bases, while Rendon (.296/.362/.503) is up to 19 homers, 73 RBIs and 77 runs scored.
The Nationals have lost 17.1 units and are 17-23 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 19 of those games, as opposed to 20 that’ve gone under against lefties. On the other hand, the Braves have netted 23.1 units and are 58-45 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s cashed in 47 of those games, compared to 51 that went under.
Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Braves, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – UNDER
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Notes
Betting Trends
The under has hit in three of Atlanta’s last seven games.
Atlanta has posted 23.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 19.8 over its last five.
Each team has hit 11 home runs over its last 10 games.
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