Washington Nationals (21-28) vs. Atlanta Braves (24-26)
June 1, 2021 7:20 pm EDT
The Line: Atlanta Braves -140 / Washington Nationals +130; Over/Under: +8
(Get latest betting odds)
The Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves meet Tuesday in MLB action from SunTrust Park.
This will be the second installment in a four-game series between these teams this week. In the Monday opener, the Braves managed a two-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Washington played the Brewers over the weekend but didn’t have much luck. The Nationals fell 4-1 and 6-2 Saturday, then lost 3-0 in the Sunday game. On Monday versus the Braves, Washington notched seven team hits but ended up falling in a 5-3 result. Joe Ross posted 5.0 innings with four earned on three hits.
For the starting pitcher role on Tuesday, the Nationals are going with Stephen Strasburg. Across his 20.1 innings of work this year, Strasburg has 15 hits, 11 runs (10 earned), four homers allowed, 12 walks, 20 strikeouts and a 4.43 ERA.
Over on the Braves side, they only managed to get one game in versus the Mets this weekend, a 13-2 loss Saturday. In the Monday matchup against Washington, Atlanta starter Charlie Morton went 5.0 innings with six hits and three earned runs.
For the starter role in the Tuesday game, the Braves are going with Max Fried. Across 35.0 innings this year, Fried has 38 hits, 19 runs (18 earned), four homers allowed, 14 walks, 34 strikeouts and a 4.63 ERA.
The Nationals are 2-6 in their last eight in game two of a series and 3-7 in their last 10 versus a lefty starter. Washington is 15-7 in their last 22 road games versus a lefty starter and the under is 3-0-1 in the last four Tuesday games.
Meanwhile, the Braves are 19-9 in their last 28 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5 and 6-2 in their last eight home games versus a team with a losing record. The under is 6-0 in Atlanta’s last six Tuesday games and 20-8-2 in their last 30 home games.
PICK: I like the Braves in this one. Fried has been great over his last four starts, posting just one earned run in each. That’s four earned in a span of 24.0 innings with 20 strikeouts as well. As for Strasburg, he’s been good historically against Atlanta (career 3.94 ERA) so we should have a pretty solid matchup here.
