Washington Nationals (51-96) vs. Atlanta Braves (92-55)
September 21, 2022 12:20 pm EDT
The Line: Atlanta Braves -270 / Washington Nationals +220 ; Over/Under: 8.5
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The Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves meet Wednesday in MLB action from SunTrust Park. This will be the finale in a three-game series this week. The Braves took a three-run win in the opener. In game two, Atlanta took a close victory to keep it going. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Washington was down 4-0 heading into the fifth inning Monday and couldn’t come back in an eventual 5-2 loss. In the Tuesday game, the Nats showed some life in the top of the ninth but ultimately fell 3-2. Erasmo Ramirez did most of the pitching work with 3.0 innings, two earned, four hits and two Ks.
Paolo Espino will take the mound for the Nationals on Wednesday. Over his 39 games (16 starts) this year, Espino is 0-7 with a 4.24 ERA.
Over on the Braves’ side, they posted three runs in the fourth inning Monday on the way to 10 team hits. In the Tuesday matchup, the Braves posted two runs in the fourth and hung on for the victory. Starter Charlie Morton put up 5.1 innings with one earned on three hits and three walks.
As starter for the Wednesday game, the Braves will send out Bryce Elder. Over seven games (six starts) so far Elder is 1-3 with a 3.67 ERA. In 34.1 innings total he has 14 earned on 28 hits and 19 walks with 30 Ks.
PICK: I’m probably staying with the Braves, but the line is a little too thick to mess with. Max Fried was originally supposed to make the start in this one, but he’s been placed on the seven-day concussion IL following a rough fall in the Mets game on Saturday. That’ll leave it up to Elder, who only has one start since mid-August. That said, lately Elder has done pretty well when he’s out there with just one earned over his last 13.0 innings (all versus Miami). If he can post a decent showing here the Braves should be just fine.
