In this article we will formulate a Nationals vs Braves prediction for this MLB game on Tuesday, April 21st at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Washington Nationals Betting Preview
The Washington Nationals are 10-13 this year after they lost game one by a score of 9-4 on Monday night. Washington led 3-2 in the fourth inning, but they allowed the next five runs and never recovered for the loss. The Nationals recorded three hits and they committed two errors in the game, while they were led by Young, who went 1-4 with two RBIs. Irvin allowed three hits and three earned runs over 5.0 innings for the loss, while Poulin allowed two earned runs in relief. Prior to this series, Washington lost two out of three against the Giants and split four games with the Pirates.
This season, Washington has a 5.71 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP and a .269 opponent batting average, while they have scored 125 runs with a .252 batting average and a .327 on base percentage. CJ Abrams has led the Nationals with six home runs and 19 RBIs, while James Wood has added seven home runs and 18 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Foster Griffin, who is 2-0 with a 3.05 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP over 20.2 innings pitched this year.
Atlanta Braves Betting Preview
The Atlanta Braves are 16-7 this season after they started this series with a 9-4 win last night. Atlanta scored five runs in the sixth inning to take the lead and they added two in the ninth to seal the win. The Braves recorded eight hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Olson, who went 1-4 with one home run and three RBIs. Elder allowed three hits and three earned runs over 6.2 innings for the win, while Kinley struck out two in one relief inning. Prior to this series, Atlanta swept the Phillies in three games and won two out of three against the Marlins.
This season, Atlanta has a 2.68 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP and a .205 opponent batting average, while they have scored 131 runs with a .274 batting average and a .342 on base percentage. Drake Baldwin has led the Braves with five home runs and 21 RBIs, while Matt Olson has added six home runs and 19 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Atlanta is Reynaldo Lopez, who is 1-0 with a 2.18 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP over 20.2 innings pitched this season.
Why the Washington Nationals will win
- The Nationals have won four of their last five games as underdogs following a loss.
- The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last five games following a loss.
- The Nationals have won the first inning in three of their last four night games against opponents that held a winning record.
- The Nationals have led after 5 innings in each of their last three games.
- The Nationals have led after 3 innings in each of their last four games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
Why the Atlanta Braves will win
- The Braves have won each of their last 10 road games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
- The Nationals have lost nine of their last 10 night games against NL East opponents.
- The Braves have covered the run line in each of their last 11 road games against NL East opponents.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five home games against NL East opponents.
- The Braves have led after 5 innings in five of their last six road games.
Total Runs Facts
- Five of the last six games between the Braves and Nationals at Nationals Park have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Three of the Braves’ last four games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Braves’ last seven games as road favorites.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in four of the last five games between the Braves and Nationals at Nationals Park.
Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts
- CJ Abrams has hit a home run in five of the Nationals’ last nine night games against NL opponents that held a winning record.
- Keibert Ruiz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances with the Nationals as home underdogs.
- 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 six of the Braves’ last seven road games against the Nationals.
- Matt Olson has recorded at least one hit in each of the Braves’ last 15 road games against the Nationals.
- Drake Baldwin ranks T1st in the league in Hits (30) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nationals rank 30th in the league for home runs allowed this season (40).
- The Nationals rank 30th in the league for hits allowed this season (223).
- The Braves rank T1st in the league for RBIs this season (128).
- The Braves rank 1st in the league for ERA this season (2.68).
Nationals vs Braves Prediction
Atlanta extended their winning streak with another win on Monday and they have allowed two runs or fewer in three of their last four games. The Braves are 8-3 on the road this year, while the Nationals are 2-8 at home. Washington has dropped three of their last four games and they have allowed 7+ runs in four of their last five. I don’t trust this Washington pitching staff, as they have one of the worst team ERA’s in the MLB, and Lopez has been great for Atlanta, so I will back the Braves here.