Freddie Freeman and the Atlanta Braves are set to do battle against their divisional rival Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in a Saturday night game. The matchup can be viewed across the country on Fox and the first pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET.
Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals Odds
Bookmakers have Washington (-125) as the favorite over Atlanta (+115). The total currently stands at 10.5 runs and bettors can play the over for -115 and the under for -105. This game currently has a runline of Braves +1.5 (-180) and Nationals -1.5 (+160).
The Nationals are 37-38 straight up (SU) and 38-36 against the spread (ATS). The team has lost 13.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 0.1 units ATS. Washington has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total went over in four of those seven. The Braves have gone 44-32 SU this year and are 37-38 ATS. In total, the club has accumulated 8.6 units for moneyline bettors and 2.0 units ATS. Atlanta has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in six of those seven.
Nationals games have an over/under record of 38-31-5 so far in 2019. Braves games have gone over 43 times, gone under 27 times and pushed on five occasions.
Mike Foltynewicz is getting the start for Atlanta. The right-handed Foltynewicz is 2-5 with a 5.53 ERA and 48 strikeouts. He has yet to face Washington this year, but he made five starts against the Nationals in 2018, putting together a 3-2 record against them with a 2.35 ERA and 34 strikeouts.
The Nationals will send righty Anibal Sanchez (3-6, 3.84 ERA) to the hill. Sanchez has 59 strikeouts and 28 walks to his name as well as a WHIP of 1.36. Sanchez is 1-0 with seven strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in one start against Atlanta this year.
Atlanta’s pitchers have allowed 4.8 runs per game and its starters own a 4.40 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 7.99 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.95, along with a WHIP of 1.34 and a K/9 of 9.49.
The Braves offense has slashed .266/.343/.461 on its way to 5.4 runs scored per game this year, including 5.6 runs per game against divisional foes and 7.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
First baseman Freddie Freeman and left fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. continue to lead Atlanta’s offense. Freeman is hitting .314/.401/.605 with 21 home runs, 56 RBIs and 58 runs scored, while Acuna Jr. is hitting .289 with 17 homers, 49 RBIs, 50 runs and nine steals.
In the home-team dugout, Washington’s pitchers have allowed 4.8 runs per game overall in 2019. The club’s starters have an ERA of 3.81, a WHIP of 1.23 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.8. The bullpen has a 6.04 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 9.3 K/9. In 34 divisional games, Nationals starters have an ERA of 3.21 and the bullpen’s ERA is 7.52.
The Washington hitters are putting up 4.9 runs per outing, including 5.6 per game against divisional foes and 6.8 per game over their last five. The team has hit .285/.369/.582 over its last five matchups and is 5-0 SU during that stretch.
The Nationals’ batters have been led by outfielders Adam Eaton and Juan Soto. Eaton is slashing .276/.362/.393 with six home runs, 19 RBIs and 42 runs scored, and Soto’s line sits at .300/.399/.517 with 11 homers, 43 RBIs and 44 runs.
The Braves have gained 2.5 units and are 28-30 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 31 of those games, compared to 23 that’ve gone under against righties. On the other hand, the Nationals have lost 6.7 units and are 29-26 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s cashed in 28 of those games, compared to 25 that went under.
Braves vs. Nationals Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Atlanta has tallied 22 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Washington has 21 XBH over its last five.
- Atlanta has posted 30.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 30.6 over its last five.
- The Braves have hit 22 home runs in their last 10 games. The Nationals have hit 20 over their last 10.
- The Braves have a total OPS of .804 this season and an OPS of .790 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Nationals’ OPS sits at .765 overall and .728 against righties.
