The Atlanta Braves are playing host to their division rival Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park. Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will showcase the matchup and the game is scheduled to get going at 1:35 p.m. ET.
Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves Odds
Atlanta (+100) is the home-team underdog to Washington (-110) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this game at 9 runs. The odds for wagering on the games total stand at -125 for the over and +105 for the under. Runline odds sit at +135 for betting the Nationals -1.5 runs and -155 for the Braves +1.5.
The Nationals are 33-24 SU and have gone 29-27 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 0.6 units for moneyline bettors, despite having gained 2.3 units ATS. Washington has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in all seven of them. The Braves, on the other hand, are 34-24 SU and 32-24 ATS. They’ve gained 15.7 units for moneyline bettors and 6.3 units ATS. Atlanta has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven outings and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Atlanta games have had an over/under record of 25-28-3 so far in 2018. The Nationals have been a decent under bet with a total record of 22-32-2.
The right-handed Jeremy Hellickson is projected to start for the visiting Nationals. Hellickson is 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA and 34 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Braves this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (1-0, 2.57 ERA and five strikeouts over seven innings).
The Braves will send righty Anibal Sanchez (1-0, 3.00 ERA) to the hill. Sanchez has 16 punchouts and eight walks to his credit, as well as a 1.33 WHIP. Sanchez is 0-0 with two strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA against Washington this year.
Atlanta’s pitchers have allowed 3.9 runs per game overall this season as a unit. The teams starters have an ERA of 3.45, a WHIP of 1.31 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.6. The bullpen has a 3.67 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 9.2 K/9. In 38 games against NL East foes, Braves starters have an ERA of 3.06 and the bullpens ERA is 2.99.
The Atlanta hitters have put up 5.0 runs per contest, including 5.2 per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over their last five. The team has hit .211/.277/.343 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
The Braves batters have been led by right fielder Nick Markakis and first baseman Freddie Freeman. Markakis is hitting .329/.395/.494 with seven home runs, 38 RBIs and 36 runs scored, while Freeman is hitting .335 with nine homers, 40 RBIs, 35 runs and five stolen bases.
In the other dugout, Washington’s pitching staff allowed 3.5 runs per game and its starters own a 2.90 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 9.91 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.87, along with a K/9 of 9.63.
Nationals hitters have slashed .237/.320/.405 on their way to 4.3 runs scored per game this season, including 4.2 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.4 per game over the teams last five outings (3-2 SU).
Shortstop Trea Turner and right fielder Bryce Harper continue to lead Washington’s hitters. Turner is slashing .260/.347/.394 with six home runs, 22 RBIs, 32 runs and 16 steals, while Harper is slashing .233/.373/.530 with 18 homers, 40 RBIs, 37 runs and five stolen bases.
The Nationals have gained 8.2 units and are 21-16 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 16 of those games, compared to 20 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Braves have netted 9.9 units and are 24-15 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The overs hit in 15 of those games, compared to 21 that’ve gone under.
Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Braves, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The Nationals have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games. The Braves have hit 10 over their last 10.
- Atlanta has averaged 21.3 runs + hits + errors over its last 10 games and 18.6 over its last five.
