The Washington Nationals are heading south to take on their NL East nemesis Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park. Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will broadcast the action. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. ET.
Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves Odds
Vegas is listing Washington (+105) as the underdog to Atlanta (-115). Bettors can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at -105 for over 9 runs and -115 for under 9. The game’s runline odds sit at -200 for betting the Nationals +1.5 runs and +170 for the Braves -1.5 runs.
The Braves are 32-23 SU and 30-23 ATS. The team has gained 14.8 units for moneyline bettors and 4.7 units against the spread (ATS). Atlanta has covered the spread only once in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Nationals are 32-22 SU and have gone 28-25 ATS. In total, the team’s accumulated 0.8 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 4.1 units ATS. Washingtonhas covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in six of those seven.
Atlanta games have a 25-25-3 over/under record so far in 2018. The Nationals have been a decent under bet with a total record of 22-29-2.
The right-handed Tanner Roark is projected to start for the visiting Nationals. Roark is 2-4 with a 3.17 ERA and 58 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with six strikeouts and a 1.29 ERA against Atlanta this year (three starts).
The Braves are putting the ball in the hands of lefty Sean Newcomb (5-1, 2.75 ERA), who has 62 punchouts and 28 walks, as well as a WHIP of 1.26. Newcomb is 0-1 with six strikeouts and a 10.38 ERA in one start against Washington this year.
Washington’s pitching staff allowed 3.4 runs per game and its starters own a 2.80 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 9.92 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.12, along with a WHIP of 1.04 and a K-per-9 of 9.71.
Nationals hitters have slashed .242/.327/.415 on their way to 4.4 runs scored per game this year, including 4.6 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (5-0 SU).
Washington’s offensive production been powered by shortstop Trea Turner and second baseman Howie Kendrick. Turner is slashing .267/.356/.410 with six home runs, 22 RBIs, 30 runs and 14 stolen bases, while Kendrick (.303/.331/.474) has produced four homers, 12 RBIs and 17 runs scored.
Maintaining a slash line of .217/.265/.348 across 49 plate appearances, Turner did not seem to enjoy hitting against lefty pitching on the road last year (compared to his total season line of .285/.340/.455).
In the other dugout, Atlanta’s pitching staff has allowed 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.59, a WHIP of 1.36 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.6. The bullpen has a 3.72 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 9.0 K/9. In 35 games against divisional opponents, Braves starters have an ERA of 3.23 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.02.
Atlanta’s offense is putting up 5.1 runs per contest, including 5.3 per game against divisional foes and 4.8 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .266/.345/.445 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Braves’ hitters have been led by right fielder Nick Markakis and first baseman Freddie Freeman. Markakis is slashing .332/.395/.500 with seven home runs, 38 RBIs and 33 runs scored, while Freeman’s line is .335/.434/.536 with nine homers, 40 RBIs, 35 runs and five steals.
Compared to his overall season slash line of .275/.354/.384, Markakis seemed to take a step back when hitting righty pitching at home in 2017, slashing .231/.295/.323 over 251 such plate appearances.
The Nationals have lost 7.8 units and are 8-10 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in six of those games, compared to 11 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Braves have netted 7.7 units and are 22-15 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 15 of those games, compared to 19 that went under.
Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Braves, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – UNDER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The Nationals have won eight of their last nine games SU.
Atlanta has recorded 20.9 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 23.2 over its last five.
The Nationals have hit 17 home runs in their last 10 games. The Braves have hit nine over their last 10.
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