Washington Nationals (22-29) vs. Atlanta Braves (25-27)
June 3, 2021 12:20 pm EDT
The Line: Atlanta Braves -149 / Washington Nationals +138; Over/Under: +9
(Get latest betting odds)
The Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves meet Thursday in MLB action from SunTrust Park. This will be the final installment in a four-game set between these teams this week. After splitting the first pair of games, on Wednesday the Nationals pulled out a two-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Washington took a 5-3 loss in the Monday game of this set, but bounced back on Tuesday with a nice 11-6 victory. In the Wednesday game, the Nationals managed two runs in the fifth inning on the way to a 5-3 win. Starter Jon Lester went 5.2 innings with five hits and one earned.
For the Thursday finale, the Nationals are sending Patrick Corbin to the hill for the start. Over his 52.0 innings of work this year so far, Corbin has 59 hits, 37 runs (36 earned), 11 homers, 20 walks, 41 Ks and a 6.23 ERA.
Over on the Braves’ side, they gave up six runs in the first four innings of the Tuesday game, and five more in the seventh and eighth. In Wednesday’s game, Atlanta tied the game up in the bottom of the seventh but couldn’t score from there. Drew Smyly went 4.1 innings with three earned on seven hits.
For the starter job on Thursday, the Braves are sending out Ian Anderson. Over his 55.0 innings this year, Anderson has 47 hits, 20 earned runs, six homers, 22 walks, 59 strikeouts and a 3.27 ERA.
The Nationals are 6-15 in their last 21 road games with the total set at 7.0-8.5 and 1-7 in their last eight in game four of a series. The under is 4-0 in Washington’s last four Thursday games and the over is 9-3 in their last 12 in game four of a series.
PICK: I’m going to take the Braves here. Both starting pitchers need bounce-back outings, however. Anderson gave up four earned on seven hits in 4.0 innings his last time up. As for Corbin, he surrendered another first-inning homer on May 29 versus the Brewers and has given up 15 earned in his last 15.2 innings. I like both guys to pitch better in this one, with Anderson winning the duel.
