In this article we will formulate a Braves vs Nationals prediction for this MLB game on Monday, September 22nd at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Atlanta Braves Betting Preview
The Atlanta Braves are 73-83 this year after they swept Detroit in three games by scores of 10-1, 6-5, and 6-2. In their game three win, Atlanta led 3-0 in the fifth inning and piled on in the ninth to seal the victory. The Braves recorded 11 hits in the game and they were led by Kim, who went 1-3 with one home run and two RBIs in the win. Atlanta started Strider, who allowed six hits and zero earned runs over 5.0 innings for the win, while six other pitchers closed out the game.
Prior to that series, the Braves won all four against the Nationals, but did lose two out of three against the Astros before that. Atlanta has won eight games in a row and they are fourth in the NL East standings. The Atlanta pitching staff has a 4.37 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and a .246 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 699 runs with a .245 batting average and a .320 on base percentage this year. Matt Olson has led Atlanta with 28 home runs and 93 RBIs, while Marcell Ozuna has added 20 home runs and 65 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Atlanta is Chris Sale, who is 5-5 with a 2.35 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP over 115.0 innings pitched this year.
Washington Nationals Betting Preview
The Washington Nationals are 64-92 this season after they won two out of three against the Mets by scores of 6-12, 5-3, and 3-2. In their game three win, Washington scored all three runs in the second inning and barely hung on for the victory. The Nationals recorded nine hits in the game and they were led by Nunez, who went 2-4 with one home run and two RBIs in the win. Washington started Irvin, who allowed six hits and two earned runs over 5.1 innings for the win, while Parker picked up the save.
Prior to that series, the Nationals lost all four against the Braves, but did win two out of three against the Pirates before that. Washington has lost five of their last seven games and they are last in the NL East standings. The Washington pitching staff has a 5.32 ERA with a 1.44 WHIP and a .268 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 661 runs with a .243 batting average and a .305 on base percentage this season. James Wood has led Washington with 27 home runs and 89 RBIs, while Josh Bell has added 20 home runs and 61 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is MacKenzie Gore, who is 5-14 with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP over 157.2 innings pitched this season.
Why the Braves will beat the Nationals
- The Braves have won each of their last eight games.
- The Nationals have lost seven of their last eight road games against the Braves following a road win.
- The Braves have covered the run line in each of their last eight games.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line each of their last six games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
- The Braves have led after 3 innings in each of their last three games.
- The Nationals have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four games at Truist Park.
Total Runs Facts
- Nine of the Braves’ last 10 night games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Four of the Nationals’ last five games as underdogs against the Braves have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Braves’ last seven games against NL East opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Nationals’ last eight Monday games against NL East opponents.
Atlanta Braves Player Prop Facts
- Matt Olson has hit a home run in five of the Braves’ last six games against the Nationals.
- Chris Sale has recorded nine strikeouts in each of his last four appearances.
- Marcell Ozuna has recorded at least one Double in four of his last five appearances with the Braves as favorites against NL opponents.
- Austin Riley has recorded at least one hit in 14 of his last 15 home appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.
- Matt Olson ranks 9th amongst qualified players for On Base Percentage (.373) this season.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- CJ Abrams has hit a home run in each of the Nationals’ last two games at Truist Park against opponents that held a losing record.
- MacKenzie Gore has recorded five or more strikeouts in 10 of his last 11 appearances against NL East opponents.
- CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances against the Braves.
- Keibert Ruiz has recorded a Double in each of his last three appearances against the Braves.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Braves rank 3rd in the league for walks this season (541).
- The Braves rank T26th in the league for steals this season (77).
- The Nationals rank 29th in the league for ERA this season (5.34).
- The Nationals rank 29th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.268).
Braves vs Nationals Prediction
Atlanta comes into this matchup looking for their ninth win in a row, after they dominated the Tigers over the weekend. The Braves are 36-39 at home this year, while the Nationals are 33-45 on the road. Washington did steal two games from the Mets last series and they are starting Gore, who has allowed 0, 2, 3, 3, and 2 earned runs in his last five outings. Atlanta is going with Sale, who has allowed one earned run or fewer in four of his last five. This should be a very fun pitching matchup to watch, but Sale has been way more consistent and the Atlanta offense is on fire. Take the Braves by at least two runs here.