The Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals square off Tuesday in MLB action from Nationals Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Atlanta Braves will send out Reynaldo Lopez for the start here and Lopez is 8-5 with a 2.04 ERA and 136 strikeouts this season. In his career, Lopez is 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA and 18 strikeouts against Washington. MacKenzie Gore will get the nod for the Nationals here and is 8-11 with a 4.32 ERA and 155 strikeouts this season. In his last five starts against Atlanta, Gore is 3-1 with a 3.04 ERA and 30 strikeouts.
Atlanta Braves Recap
The Atlanta Braves come into this one looking to bounce back from their makeup game loss against the Cincinnati Reds in their last game on Monday. The Braves have won back-to-back series after knocking off the Blue Jays and Rockies over the last week.
Braves Trying To Keep Up In NL Wild Card Race
Marcell Ozuna leads the Braves with 165 hits including 37 home runs and 98 RBIs while Orlando Arcia has 22 doubles and Ozzie Albies has 28 doubles, logging 93 hits as well this season. Ronald Acuna Jr. has a team-high 16 stolen bases as well this season but is out for the season with a torn ACL. Matt Olson has a team-high 32 doubles, 25 home runs, and 79 RBIs with a team-high 155 strikeouts and Austin Riley has 26 doubles with a pair of triples, 19 home runs, and 56 RBIs.
Why the Atlanta Braves will win
- The Nationals have lost each of their last nine night games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Braves have won each of their last nine night games at Nationals Park following a loss.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven games as home underdogs against NL East opponents following a road loss.
- The Braves have covered the run line in eight of their last nine road games.
Washington Nationals Recap
The Washington Nationals come into this one looking to bounce back after settling for a series split with the Pittsburgh Pirates following a 7-3 loss in Sunday’s finale. It was a second straight series split for the Nationals after splitting with Miami the series before.
Nationals Trying To Play Spoiler
CJ Abrams has 123 hits along with 19 home runs and 64 RBIs to go along with 26 doubles, 6 triples, and 28 stolen bases. Luis Garcia Jr. has a team-high 128 hits including 25 doubles with 63 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. Jacob Young has 31 stolen bases as well this season.
Why the Washington Nationals will win
- The Braves have lost nine of their last 10 games as favorites against National League opponents following a home loss.
- The Nationals have won five of their last six games as underdogs against the Braves following a road loss.
- The Braves have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 10 games against National League opponents following a home loss.
- The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last four night games at Nationals Park following a loss.
Braves vs. Nationals Prediction
I’m on the under here. I just think that this game comes down to the great starting pitching matchup of Lopez vs. Gore, and Lopez has been outstanding since returning from the IL. Gore has pitched really well in his own right and is at a point where his ERA at home is lower than his road ERA and I think he’s just in a good spot here to keep it rolling along. I think this could be an under-the-radar pitcher’s duel so give me the under here.