Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals Game 2 - 4/7/21 MLB Picks and Prediction
Photo by Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Nationals (1-0) vs Atlanta Braves (0-4)
Game Info: Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 3:35 pm (Nationals Park)
Stephen Strasburg (0-0) (0.00) vs Huascar Ynoa (0-0) (0.00)
Betting Odds: Washington Nationals / Atlanta Braves --- Over/Under: Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Washington Nationals will face the Atlanta Braves in the second game of a double-header on Wednesday. The Nationals took the first game of the series 6-5 on Tuesday.
The Nationals won their first game of the season on Tuesday after their first 4 were postponed due to COVID Protocol. Max Scherzer went 6 innings allowing 4 runs on 5 hits with 9 strikeouts. He gave up four solo home runs in the outing. From the plate the Nationals had 10 hits and were 3-6 with runners in scoring position. Trea Turner hit a two-run homer for his first of the season. So far in 2021 the Nationals have a .295 team batting average through one game.
The Nationals will start Steven Strasburg in the second game Wednesday. He finished 2020 with just 5 IP, going 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA and 2 strikeouts. During spring training he pitched 13.2 innings with a 3.95 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 12 strikeouts.
The Braves are still looking for their first win of the season after losing 6-5 on Tuesday. Drew Smyly went 6 innings allowing 4 runs (2 earned) with 8 strikeouts in the start. The bullpen gave up 2 runs in the final 2 innings, blowing a 1 run lead. The offense jumped out early with 4 solo home runs in the first 3 innings but only scored 1 run in the final 6 frames. Ronald Acuna Jr. went yard twice, while Dansby Swanson and Freddie Freeman each hit their first of the year. To start the season the Braves have a .148 team batting average, second worst in the majors.
Starting for Atlanta will be reliever Huascar Ynoa. During 2020 he started 5 times. He finished the season with 21.2 innings pitched, with 14 runs on 23 hits. During spring training he was 1-2 with a 7.79 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 28 strikeouts.
The Braves have been off to a rough start from the plate, and until they get things going it will be tough to back them. The Braves have a lot of experience against Strasburg, but the Nationals have won their last three against the Braves in his starts. Strasburg had a solid spring and will look to get back to form after a rough 2020 campaign. Give me the Nationals to win.
Joe’s Pick Washington Nationals
AUTHOR: Joe Bonomo
