The Washington Nationals will welcome the Atlanta Braves to Nationals Park in Game 1 of their NL East doubleheader. Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will be televising the matchup. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET.
Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals Odds
Both teams have matching -105 moneyline odds and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this one at 9.5 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 spread with the runline odds coming in at Braves -1.5 runs (+140) and Nationals +1.5 runs (-160).
The Braves have gone 60-48 SU this year and are 56-51 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 16.6 units for moneyline gamblers and 1.6 units ATS. Atlanta has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. The Nationals, on the other hand, are 57-53 SU and 53-58 ATS. The team’s lost 17.4 units for moneyline bettors and 7.3 units ATS. Washington has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Nationals games have a 45-64-2 over/under record in 2018. Atlanta has an over/under record of 52-51-4.
The left-handed Sean Newcomb is projected to start for the visiting Braves. Newcomb is 10-5 with a 3.23 ERA and 110 strikeouts. He’s 1-1 with eight strikeouts and a 5.56 ERA against Washington this year (two starts).
The Nationals are handing the ball to lefty Tommy Milone (1-0, 3.00 ERA), who’s got 15 strikeouts and zero walks, as well as a 0.92 WHIP. Milone hasn’t faced the Braves yet this year and did not record a start against them in 2017.
As a unit, Washington’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.88, a WHIP of 1.22 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.2. The bullpen has a 3.66 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 8.6 K/9. In 45 games against NL East opponents, Nationals starters have an ERA of 4.42 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.14.
The Washington offense has put up 4.6 runs per contest, including 5.4 per game against divisional foes and 9.6 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .349/.438/.623 over its last five contests and is 5-0 SU during that stretch.
The Nationals’ batters have been led by shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Anthony Rendon. Turner is hitting .269/.342/.416 with 14 home runs, 47 RBIs, 68 runs and 30 stolen bases, while Rendon is hitting .291 with 16 homers, 55 RBIs and 50 runs.
For the visiting squad, Atlanta’s pitching staff allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starters own a 3.71 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 8.67 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.06, along with a K-per-9 of 9.08.
Braves hitters have slashed .259/.326/.421 on their way to 4.8 runs scored per game this year, including 5.1 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Atlanta’s hitters have been paced by right fielder Nick Markakis and first baseman Freddie Freeman, who’ve collectively blasted 31 home runs. Markakis is slashing .319/.386/.492 with 13 home runs, 68 RBIs and 62 runs scored, while Freeman is slashing .316/.397/.525 with 18 homers, 69 RBIs and 66 runs scored.
The Nationals have lost 13.8 units and are 11-18 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 13 of those games, compared to 15 that’ve hit the under against lefty starters.
Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The under has cashed in five of Atlanta’s last seven games.
- The Braves have hit 12 home runs in their last 10 games, including seven over their last five.
- Washington has recorded 27.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 34.0 over its last five.
- The Braves have won six of their last seven games SU.
