Nationals vs Braves Prediction 7/31/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Nationals vs Braves prediction for this MLB game on Friday, July 31st at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

The Washington Nationals are 55-55 this season after they lost game one by a score of 4-5 on Thursday night. Washington led 3-0 in the fourth inning, but they allowed the next five runs and couldn’t recover for the loss. The Nationals recorded seven hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Lile, who went 2-4 with two home runs and two RBIs. Irvin allowed three hits and five earned runs over 5.0 innings for the loss, while Palmquist threw two innings in relief. Prior to this series, Washington lost two out of three against the Blue Jays, but did win two out of three against the Diamondbacks before that. 

This season, Washington has a 4.76 ERA with a 1.40 WHIP and a .259 opponent batting average, while they have scored 600 runs with a .254 batting average and a .329 on base percentage. CJ Abrams has led the Nationals with 27 home runs and 82 RBIs, while James Wood has added 30 home runs and 72 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Foster Griffin, who is 12-2 with a 2.76 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP over 124.0 innings pitched this season. 

Atlanta Braves Betting Preview

The Atlanta Braves are 64-45 this year after they won game one by a score of 5-4 last night. Atlanta tied the game in the fifth inning and they scored two runs in the sixth to escape with the narrow win. The Braves recorded four hits in the game and they were led by Albies, who went 1-3 with two RBIs. Holmes allowed five hits and three earned runs over 4.2 innings, while Mederos got the win and Iglesias picked up the save. Prior to this series, Atlanta lost two out of three against the Mets, but did win two out of three against the Orioles before that. 

This season, Atlanta has a 3.71 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP and a .231 opponent batting average, while they have scored 531 runs with a .248 batting average and a .314 on base percentage. Matt Olson has led the Braves with 28 home runs and 66 RBIs, while Drake Baldwin has added 20 home runs and 56 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Atlanta is Bryce Elder, who is 6-6 with a 3.96 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP over 113.2 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Atlanta Braves will win

• The Braves have won each of their last nine Friday games at Truist Park.
• The Nationals have lost eight of their last nine night games against teams that held a winning record.

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• The Nationals have won each of their last eight road games following a road loss.
• The Braves have lost four of their last six games as home favorites against NL East opponents following a home win.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in 17 of their last 18 road games following a road loss.
• The Braves have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games against National League opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Five of the Braves’ last six games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Four of the Nationals’ last five road games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Braves’ last six games as home favorites against NL East opponents.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Nationals’ last five games as road underdogs against NL East opponents.

Atlanta Braves Player Prop Facts

• Matt Olson has hit at least one home run in three of the Braves’ last four Friday games.
• Michael Harris has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine Friday night appearances with the Braves at Truist Park.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• Luis Garcia has hit a home run in each of his last four appearances against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
• Daylen Lile has recorded at least one hit in each of the Nationals’ last seven games as road underdogs against NL East opponents.
• Foster Griffin has recorded five or more strikeouts in seven of his last eight appearances with the Nationals as road underdogs.
• Foster Griffin has recorded a win in each of his five previous appearances with the Nationals as underdogs against NL East opponents.

Nationals vs Braves Prediction 

Washington comes into this matchup after losing three of their last four games and they have allowed 5+ runs in four of their last five. The Nationals are 32-21 on the road this year, while the Braves are 33-20 at home. Atlanta has split their last four games and they have scored three runs or fewer in four of their last five. The Braves are starting Elder, who has allowed 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 earned runs in his last five starts, while Griffin has allowed one earned run or fewer in three of his last four outings. I really like how Griffin is pitching, so give me the Nationals here.

David Racey's Pick: Nationals ML