Game Details:
- Matchup: Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals
- Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
- Time: 6:45 PM EST
- Venue: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
- TV: Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN)
Moneyline Odds:
- Atlanta Braves: -192
- Washington Nationals: +156
Pitching Matchup:
- Atlanta Braves: Chris Sale, LHP
- Washington Nationals: MacKenzie Gore, LHP
Preview
The Atlanta Braves travel to the nation’s capital for a divisional showdown with the Washington Nationals, bringing a significant advantage on the mound and on paper. The lopsided moneyline odds reflect the current state of both clubs, with the contending Braves heavily favored over a Nationals team battered by injuries.
The Braves hand the ball to veteran ace Chris Sale. The left-hander’s presence alone is enough to tilt the odds in Atlanta’s favor. When healthy, Sale remains one of the premier strikeout pitchers in the game, capable of dominating any lineup. Facing a Nationals squad that has been significantly depleted, Sale is in a prime position to deliver a strong performance and lead his team to victory. While the Braves have dealt with their own injury issues throughout the season, they enter this late-season matchup in a much stronger position.
For the Nationals, it’s a battle of youth against experience as their own talented lefty, MacKenzie Gore, gets the start. Gore has the electric stuff to become a frontline starter, but he faces a monumental task against the Braves’ deep and powerful offense. Washington’s chances for an upset likely hinge on Gore navigating the Atlanta lineup successfully for at least five or six innings while keeping the game close.
The biggest storyline for the home team is its health, or lack thereof. According to recent reports, the Nationals roster is severely depleted, with as many as eleven players on the injured list. Key contributors like starting pitcher Josiah Gray and young star outfielder Dylan Crews have been sidelined, stripping the team of both established talent and future cornerstones. This rash of injuries makes it incredibly difficult to compete, especially against a top-tier opponent like the Braves.
Prediction
While a divisional rivalry can sometimes produce surprises, the fundamentals of this matchup point heavily in one direction. The Braves have a decisive advantage in the starting pitching matchup with Chris Sale taking the hill against an injury-riddled Nationals lineup.
MacKenzie Gore has the talent to keep Washington in the game, but the relentless pressure from the Braves’ offense combined with a lack of run support from his own depleted lineup is a difficult formula for success. The -192 odds indicate that Vegas sees this as a likely Braves victory, and it’s hard to argue with that assessment. Look for Sale to quiet the Nationals’ bats and for the Braves’ offense to provide more than enough support to secure the win.
Pick: Atlanta Braves Moneyline (-192)
Predicted Score: Braves 6, Nationals 2
Sources:
Atlanta Braves Injury Status – ESPN
Braves injuries and roster moves
Atlanta Braves injury report: Ronald Acuña Jr. has a minor calf strain …
Updated Atlanta Braves injury report ahead of home opener
2025 Atlanta Braves Injury Report | RosterResource | FanGraphs …
Braves Injury Reporter: Here’s what to expect from tonight’s Braves …
Braves Injury Update: Jurickson Profar’s timeline gains clarity, more …
Atlanta Braves injury update: Sean Murphy out for Opening Day plus …
Why quiet Braves injury update might be too little, too late
2025 MLB Games: Cubs Braves Injury Report –