A hot Nationals team looks to make some ground in the NL East when they meet the first-place Braves for the opener of a four-game divisional battle down in Georgia starting Thursday night. Who do we like here for our free MLB pick?
MLB Betting Odds
Thursday’s MLB betting odds opened Washington at around -110 over Atlanta, with an over/under of 9.5 runs. Early betting action then bumped that line 20 cents, up to about -130.
Nationals vs. Braves Set-Up
Washington just split two games in Baltimore, losing Wednesday’s series finale 9-2. Just before that, the Nationals took two of three games from Philadelphia, and just before that they took two of three from Kansas City. Going back a bit further Washington is 13-3 over its last 16 games.
Atlanta, meanwhile, just dropped two of three games in Milwaukee, losing Wednesday’s series rubber match 5-4. Just before that the Braves swept three games from San Diego, and just before that they took two of three from Miami. So Atlanta is 8-3 over its last 11 games.
At 58-39 overall the Braves lead the NL East by 6.5 games over the 50-44 Nationals. Atlanta also trails the Dodgers by 5.5 games in the battle for the best record in the National League.
Washington, meanwhile, also now leads the National League wild-card race by a game and a half over Milwaukee.
The Nats lead the season series with the Braves three games to two.
Thursday’s Starting Arms
Teheran, by our strict accounting, is only 7/20 on quality starts this season but two for his last two. Last Saturday he limited the Padres to two earned runs and three hits through six innings of a 7-5 Atlanta victory. And just before that he held the Marlins scoreless on five hits through six frames.
On the season the Braves are 13-7 with Teheran, 3-0 over his last three starts.
Over three starts against Washington, last season Teheran allowed nine runs and 14 hits through 12 1/3 innings. Atlanta lost two of those three games.
Strasburg is 11/19 on quality starts this year and two for his last two. Last Friday he tossed six innings of seven-hit, shutout ball in a 4-0 Nationals victory over the Phillies. And just before that he threw 7 1/3 innings of two-hit, shutout ball, with 14 strikeouts, against Miami.
Washington is 12-7 with Strasburg this season, 4-0 over his last four starts.
Over his last five starts against the Braves, three last season and two this season, Strasburg allowed 14 ER and 28 hits through 32 1/3 innings. The Nationals won three of those five games.
Thursday’s Batting Splits
Washington is batting .244/.318/.415 against right-handed pitching this season.
Atlanta is batting .259/.335/.453 against RH pitching this season.
The Bullpens
The Nationals bullpen owns a 5.99 ERA this season, worst in the Majors, and a 1.54 WHIP, while allowing an .802 OPS. Numbers like those “help” this unit rank among the bottom handful of bullpens in Baseball at the moment.
The Braves pen owns a 3.85 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP while allowing a .740 OPS.
Totals Report
- Unders are 44-43 in Nationals games this season.
- Overs are 49-42 in Braves games this season.
- Totals are split 2-2 in Nationals-Braves games this season.
- Overs are 26-18 in games played at SunTrust Park this season.
- Get more details: Washington at Atlanta MLB Match-up Stats
