Tanner Roark (4-4, 4.54 ERA) and Julio Teheran (9-7, 4.62 ERA) start in the second of a four-game series between the Washington Nationals (68-65) and the Atlanta Braves (54-80) at Nationals Park. The Braves lost the last game 15-1, continuing a nine-game losing streak. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday, Sep. 4 and can be seen on FSSO and MASN.
Roark pitched 1.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering zero runs (one unearned) in a 10-3 defeat to the Brewers. Ryan Zimmerman (.244, 41 Rs, 16 HRs, 71 RBIs, 1 SB) had another good game yesterday, going 3 for 3 with two runs and four RBIs. Teheran went 4.1 innings, surrendering eight runs, striking out four and walking three in a 20-6 defeat to the Yankees in his last outing.
This one isn’t expected to be close when Washington, a substantial -200 favorite, takes on Atlanta. According to the oddsmakers, the Over/Under (O/U) is currently eight runs. The Nationals have an overall money line of -1,418 and a record as the favorite of 54-41. Washington has had an impressive season against division opponents, earning 27-16 and 29-21 records as the favorite and SU respectively. The Nationals have no trouble scoring as they rank third in the NL in offense with 4.3 runs per game. Washington is one of the best in the NL in terms of walks, earning an average of 3.2 per game. Washington’s pitchers put it all together when division rivals are on the field. Its average runs allowed per game drops to 3.4 against fellow NL East members, compared to its 4.1 season average. The Nationals are the top team in the NL at limiting walks to their opponents, allowing only 2.1 walks per game so far this season.
Over in the other dugout, Atlanta is coming in with an overall money line of -1,594 and a disappointing record of 40-65 as the underdog. They have been on a bit of a dry streak over their last 10 games. They managed a 0-5 record when playing as the underdog. Offensively, the Braves have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 3.6 runs per game by averaging 2.7 during that stretch. The Braves have a dynamic offense, leading the league with 312 extra base hits. Atlanta is excellent at not striking out with an NL-low 6.9 per game. The Braves allow 4.7 runs per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 7.9 runs per game during that span.
The Nationals have controlled the season series, 10-3. The Nationals have a 50-50 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Teheran takes the mound. Roark (RHP) will be on the hill against the Braves, who have a 45-63 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Was, O/U – Under
Notes
In their last game, the Nationals won by a margin of 14 runs. The Braves are 1-5 in games decided by a margin of 10 runs or more. The Nationals have a 4-0 record in blowouts.
The Nationals are coming into this matchup after a high-scoring game where they scored a whopping 15 runs. The Braves have a 0-3 record when opponents score that many runs or more.
The Nationals are coming into the game with two consecutive wins, while the Braves currently have a losing streak of nine.
When they outhit their opponents, the Braves are 37-18. The Nationals have a 53-8 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 30th in runs, Atlanta has earned 480 this season. Washington ranks eighth with 579 runs.
Ranking 11th, Atlanta is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 391 this season. Washington ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 434.
When the Nationals hit at least one home run, they are 51-33. When the Braves hit at least one homer, they have a 32-30 record.
