The Washington Nationals will be squaring off against their NL East foe Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park. Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will showcase the matchup and the game is scheduled to get underway at 4:10 p.m. ET.
Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves Odds
Washington (-115) is entering this game as the favorite against Atlanta (+105) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this day game at 9 runs. Odds for betting on the games total stand at +110 for the over and -130 for the under. Bettors can also wager on the games runline with the odds standing at +130 for the Nationals -1.5 runs and -150 for the Braves +1.5.
The Nationals are 32-24 SU and are 29-26 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 0.8 units for moneyline gamblers and 3.3 units ATS. Washingtons covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the under has hit in six of those seven. The Braves, on the other hand, are 34-23 SU and 31-24 ATS. They’ve gained 14.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 5.3 units ATS. Atlanta has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the over has cashed in four of those seven.
Braves games have had an over/under record of 25-27-3 so far in 2018. Nationals games have gone under 31 times, gone over 22 times and pushed on two instances.
Gio Gonzalez will get the start for the visiting Nationals. The southpaw Gonzalez is 6-2 with a 2.10 ERA and 63 strikeouts. He has yet to face Atlanta this year, but he did make four starts against the team in 2017, putting together a 1-2 record with a 5.32 ERA and 27 strikeouts.
The Braves are putting the ball in the right hand of Brandon McCarthy (5-2, 5.02 ERA), who has 45 punchouts and 19 walks as well as a 1.59 WHIP. McCarthy is 0-0 with three strikeouts and a 1.80 ERA in one start against Washington this year.
As a unit, Atlanta’s pitching staff has allowed 3.9 runs per game overall this year. Its starters have an ERA of 3.46, a WHIP of 1.32 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.6. The bullpen has a 3.69 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 9.1 K/9. In 37 games against NL East foes, Braves starters have an ERA of 3.06 and the bullpens ERA is 2.97.
Atlanta’s offense has put up 5.0 runs per outing, including 5.2 per game against divisional foes and 4.2 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .271/.346/.428 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Right fielder Nick Markakis and first baseman Freddie Freeman have led the Braves hitters this year. Markakis is slashing .332/.398/.500 with seven home runs, 38 RBIs and 35 runs scored, while Freeman’s line sits at .338/.436/.537 with nine homers, 40 RBIs, 35 runs and five steals.
For the visitors, Washington’s pitchers have allowed 3.5 runs per game and its starters own a 2.88 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 9.87 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.05, along with a K/9 of 9.66.
The Nationals offense has slashed .238/.322/.407 on its way to 4.3 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.2 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.6 per game over the teams last five outings (3-2 SU).
Washington’s offensive production been led by shortstop Trea Turner and outfielder Bryce Harper, who’ve collectively blasted 24 home runs. Turner is slashing .268/.357/.406 with six home runs, 22 RBIs, 32 runs and 16 stolen bases, while Harper is hitting .235/.378/.541 with 18 homers, 40 RBIs, 37 runs and five steals.
The Nationals have gained 9.6 units and are 21-15 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 16 of those games, compared to 19 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Braves have netted 5.8 units and are 8-9 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The overs hit in 10 of those games, compared to seven that’ve gone under.
Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Braves, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – UNDER
Betting Notes
- Washington has posted 19.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 17.0 over its last five.
- The Nationals have hit 12 home runs in their last 10 games. The Braves have hit nine over their last 10.
