The Washington Nationals will head south to face off against their division rival Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park. The matchup will begin at 7:35 p.m. ET and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will showcase the game.
Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves Odds
Atlanta (-135) is favored over Washington (+115) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this night game at nine runs. The odds for betting on the game’s total stand at -115 for the over and -105 for the under. Gamblers can also bet on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds standing at Nationals -1.5 runs (-130) and Braves +1.5 runs (+120).
The Braves are 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS. The team’s gained 1.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 3.7 units against the spread (ATS). The Nationals have gone 3-0 SU this year and are 2-0 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 2.0 units for moneyline bettors in the season’s early going and 2.0 units ATS.
Atlanta games have an over/under record of two-0-1 in 2018. The Nationals have an over/under record of one-1.
The Braves are coming off of a 15-2 win against the Phillies, while the Nationals just got a 6-5 victory over the Reds.
Tanner Roark will get the start for the visiting Nationals. The right-handed Roark struck out 166 hitters in 181 innings last year with 64 walks while finishing the season 13-11 overall with a 4.67 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. He made three starts against the Braves in 2017 and compiled a 1-2 record against them with a 5.87 ERA and 21 strikeouts.
The Braves are going with lefty Sean Newcomb as their starter. Newcomb struck out 108 hitters across 99 innings last year (19 starts). Newcomb finished the season 4-9 overall with a 4.32 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP.
As a unit, Atlanta’s pitching staff has allowed 4.0 runs per game overall this year. The club’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.50, a WHIP of 1.38 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.4. The bullpen has a 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 10.4 K/9. In three games against NL East opponents, Braves starters have an ERA of 4.50 and the bullpen’s ERA is 2.08.
The Atlanta hitters are putting up 9.0 runs per outing, including 9.0 per game against divisional foes and 9.0 per game over their last five. The team’s slashed .325/.412/.518 over its last five matchups and is 2-1 SU during that span.
The Braves’ hitters have been led by first baseman Freddie Freeman and third baseman Ryan Flaherty. Freeman is slashing .333/.625/.778 with three hits, four RBIs and five runs scored, and Flaherty’s line is .538/.571/.769 with seven hits, one RBI and five runs.
Compared to his total season slash line of .307/.403/.586, Freeman seemed to enjoy hitting righties at home last season, slashing .362/.475/.638 over 160 such plate appearances.
In the other dugout, Washington’s pitching staff allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 0.98 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 11.78 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 8.31, along with a K/9 of 9.35.
The Nationals offense has slashed .269/.367/.529 on its way to 7.0 runs scored per game this season, including runs per game against divisional foes and 7.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-0 SU).
Washington’s hitters have been led by outfielders Eaton Eaton and Bryce Harper. Eaton has eight hits, five RBIs and seven runs scored, while Harper has four hits, two homers, four RBIs and three runs scored.
Eaton didn’t perform especially well on the road in 2017. Over 63 plate appearances, he put up a slash line of .245/.365/.377 (his overall season line was .297/.393/.462).
Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The Nationals went 10-9 SU against the Braves last season.
- The Braves’ bullpen managed 4.58 ERA against the Nationals last year.
