Washington Nationals (49-61) vs. Atlanta Braves (56-54)
August 8, 2021 1:20 pm EDT
The Line: Atlanta Braves -270 / Washington Nationals +190; Over/Under: -8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves meet Sunday in MLB action from SunTrust Park. This will be the final installment in a three-game set between these teams over the weekend. The Braves won the opener by four runs, then on Saturday the Nats evened it up with a one-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Washington had a very brief 3-2 lead in the Friday game, but that went away in an eventual 8-4 defeat. In the Saturday game, the Nats posted all their runs in the ninth inning on the way to a 3-2 comeback victory. Josiah Gray put up 5.0 innings with one earned on two walks and four hits.
For the Sunday starter job, the Nationals will send out Patrick Corbin. Over 116.0 innings this year Corbin has 129 hits, 77 runs (74 earned), 25 homers allowed, 38 walks, 90 Ks and a 5.74 ERA.
Over on the Braves’ side, they got their offense going well Friday with 11 team hits. In the Saturday game two, Atlanta had a 2-0 lead until the ninth inning but couldn’t hold it. Charlie Morton managed 6.0 frames with no earned, three hits and two walks.
For the starter gig in the Sunday finale, the Braves are sending out Max Fried. Across 97.2 innings this year Fried has 95 hits, 46 runs (44 earned), 11 homers allowed, 33 walks, 101 Ks and a 4.05 ERA.
The Nationals are 9-23 in their last 32 overall and 1-4 in their last five versus a lefty starter. The under is 23-7 in Washington’s last 30 in game three of a series and 13-4 in their last 17 Sunday games.
Meanwhile, the Braves are 8-3 in their last 11 versus a lefty starter and 0-4 in their last four Sunday games. The over is 7-1-1 in the Braves’ last nine in game three of a series and 7-2 in their last nine versus a left-handed starter.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the Braves. Corbin has had some up-and-down starts lately, notching 18 earned runs in 22.2 innings over his last four. Corbin has also had trouble with the long ball, giving up six homers in his last pair. As for Fried, he’s been good over his last two starts with two earned in 13.0 innings. I like Fried to have another solid game here and put Atlanta in a nice spot for a W.
