Atlanta Braves vs Washington Nationals Prediction 5/21/25 MLB Picks

The Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals meet Wednesday in MLB action from Nationals Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals prediction.

Starting Pitching Matchup

The Atlanta Braves will start AJ Smith-Shawver here, and Smith-Shawver is 3-2 with a 2.33 ERA and 40 strikeouts this season. In his career, Smith-Shawver is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 8 strikeouts against the Nationals. Trevor Williams will get the nod for Washington here and is 2-5 with a 5.91 ERA and 38 strikeouts this season. In his last five starts against Atlanta, Williams is 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA and 26 strikeouts.

Atlanta Braves Recap

The Atlanta Braves come into this game looking to bounce back from their 5-3 loss at the hands of the Nationals last time out to fall to 24-24 on the year. After this series, the Braves will head home for a series against the San Diego Padres.

Braves Looking For Some Consistency

Austin Riley leads the Braves with 56 hits, including 8 home runs, 28 RBIs, and 8 doubles, but also has the dubious distinction of leading Atlanta with 57 strikeouts so far this season. Ozzie Albies has 42 hits with 5 home runs and 17 RBIs in addition to 5 stolen bases, and Matt Olson has 41 hits with 8 doubles, 9 home runs, and 25 RBIs of his own. Marcell Ozuna also has 40 hits with 8 home runs and 22 RBIs. Michael Harris II also has 40 hits with 8 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs, 26 RBIs, and 7 stolen bases, and Nick Allen has 6 stolen bases as well this season.

Why the Atlanta Braves will win

• The Braves have won each of their last 10 night games at Nationals Park following a loss.
• The Nationals have lost each of their last six night games against the Braves at Nationals Park following a home win.
• The Braves have covered the run line in each of their last five road games against NL East opponents following a loss.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games following a home win.

Atlanta Braves Player Prop Facts

• Matt Olson has hit a home run in each of the Braves’ last three night games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Michael Harris has recorded at least one RBI in seven of the Braves’ last eight road games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• Matt Olson has scored at least one run in each of the Braves’ last six road games.
• Alex Verdugo has recorded at least one Single in each of his last six road appearances against the Nationals after playing the previous day.
• Matt Olson has recorded at least one hit in each of the Braves’ last nine games at Nationals Park.
• Marcell Ozuna ranks 4th amongst qualified players for On Base Percentage (.416) this season.

Washington Nationals Recap

The Washington Nationals come into this game looking to build on their win over the Braves from Tuesday’s series opener. After this series, the Nationals will welcome the San Francisco Giants to town for a series.

Nationals Win Four Straight

Keibert Ruiz has 44 hits with 7 doubles and a pair of home runs with 17 RBIs, while James Wood has 51 hits with 11 doubles and a team-high 12 home runs, along with 30 RBIs and 7 stolen bases while also putting up 57 strikeouts. Nathaniel Lowe has 40 hits with 8 doubles and 33 RBIs, along with 8 home runs and 56 strikeouts. CJ Abrams has 8 home runs and 18 RBIs, along with 9 stolen bases, while Luis Garcia Jr. has 7 doubles and 6 stolen bases of his own this season. Dylan Crews has also logged a team-high 11 stolen bases this season.

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The Nationals have won each of their last four games as underdogs.
• The Braves have lost four of their last five games as road favorites against National League opponents.
• The Braves have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight night games against National League opponents.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in each of their last four games.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• CJ Abrams has hit a home run in three of the Nationals’ last six games against the Braves.
• Keibert Ruiz has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Nationals’ last three games.
• Josh Bell has scored at least one run in each of his last four home appearances against the Braves after playing the previous day.
• Trevor Williams has recorded five or more strikeouts in six of his last seven home appearances.
• CJ Abrams has recorded at least one hit in each of the Nationals’ last nine home games against NL opponents.
• Amed Rosario has recorded at least one Single in each of his last seven appearances against NL East opponents.
• CJ Abrams ranks 6th amongst qualified players for Slugging Percentage (.569) this season.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Braves’ last seven road games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Six of the Nationals’ last seven games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.

Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals Prediction

I’m on the Braves here. I just don’t love the form that Williams is in right now, as he’s been getting hit fairly hard in a lot of his recent starts and while I’m not a big Smith-Shawver fan, he’s been the much better option in the last couple of outings, and I think the Braves get the bounce back behind another strong start here. Give me Atlanta.