In this article, we will formulate a Braves vs Nationals Prediction for this MLB matchup on Monday, April 20th in the opening game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Washington Nationals Preview
The Washington Nationals have a 10-12 record this season and are sitting in the third place of the NL East. They have a 2-7 home record and are coming off a 3-0 home win against the Giants. Their previous three games were a 6-7 and a 5-10 home loss against the Giants, and an 8-7 road win against the Pirates.
The Nationals have a .258 batting average this season, .333 OBP and .409 Slugging percentage. Washington’s pitching staff has a 5.65 ERA and 1.56 WHIP. CJ Abrams is the team’s best hitter with a .320 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 19 and adding a team‑high 6 home runs.
Jake Irvin (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Nationals, and he has a 1-2 record, 6.16 ERA and 1.47 WHIP.
Atlanta Braves Preview
The Atlanta Braves have a 15-7 record this season and are sitting in the first place of the NL East. They have a 7-3 away record and are coming off a 4-2 road win against the Phillies. Their previous three games were a 3-1 and a 9-0 road win to the Phillies, and a 6-3 home win against the Marlins.
The Braves have a .276 batting average this season, .343 OBP and .450 Slugging percentage. Atlanta’s pitching staff has a 2.66 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. Drake Baldwin is the team’s best hitter with a .304 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 19 and adding a team‑high 5 home runs.
Bryce Elder (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Braves, and he has a 2-1 record, 0.77 ERA and 1.03 WHIP.
Atlanta Braves @ Washington Nationals Betting Trends: April 20, 2026
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Jake Irvin Record this season: 1-2 ERA: 6.16
- Home Record: 0-1
- Last 5 against Braves: 2-1
Why the Washington Nationals will win
- The Nationals have won four of their last five games as home underdogs against the Braves following a win.
- The Braves have lost three of their last four night games at Nationals Park following a road win.
- The Nationals have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games against NL East opponents.
- The Braves have failed to cover the run line in three of their last four night games at Nationals Park following a road win.
- The Nationals have led after 3 innings in four of their last five night games against the Braves at Nationals Park.
- The Nationals have led after 5 innings in eight of their last nine Monday night games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Bryce Elder Record this season: 2-1 ERA: 0.77
- Road Record: 0-1
- Last 5 against Nationals: 1-2
Why the Atlanta Braves will win
- The Braves have won each of their last nine road games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
- The Nationals have lost each of their last nine Monday night home games against NL East opponents.
- The Braves have covered the run line in each of their last 10 road games against NL East opponents.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last nine Monday night home games against NL East opponents.
- The Braves have led after 3 innings in three of their last four games.
- The Braves have led after 5 innings in each of their last five road games.
Total Runs Facts
- Five of the Braves’ last six road games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Eight of the Nationals’ last 10 home games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Braves’ last six games as road favorites.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last four games between the Braves and Nationals at Nationals Park.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- CJ Abrams has hit a home run in each of the Nationals’ last two night games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
- CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in each of the Nationals’ last 12 night games.
- Nasim Nunez ranks T4th in the league in Steals (8) this season.
Atlanta Braves Player Prop Facts
- Matt Olson has hit a home run in five of the Braves’ last six road games against the Nationals.
- Matt Olson has recorded at least one hit in each of the Braves’ last 14 road games against the Nationals.
- Drake Baldwin ranks T2nd in the league in Hits (28) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nationals rank 30th in the league for home runs allowed this season (39).
- The Nationals rank 30th in the league for hits allowed this season (215).
- The Braves rank 1st in the league for runs scored this season (122).
- The Braves rank 1st in the league for hits this season (210).
Braves vs Nationals Prediction
The Braves are 6-1 in their last 7 meetings against the Nationals and have won their last four visits in Washington.
In this Braves vs Nationals Prediction, the Braves are coming as -170 road favorites. The Braves have been one of the best teams in baseball, having the most wins this season along with the Dodgers and the Padres. They are 8-2 in their last 10 games and are coming off a 3-0 series sweep against the Phillies in Philadelphia, where they had just 3 earned runs. On the flip side, the Nats are 3-4 in their last 7 games and have 7+ earned runs in three of their last four games. Elder looks unhittable for the Braves so far, who also have the second-best offense and the second-best bullpen. Irvin has been terrible for the Nats this season so I expect an easy Braves win in this one.