Nationals vs Braves Prediction 5/15/25 MLB Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Nationals vs Braves prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, May 15th 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 18-26 this year, and they have lost two of the first three games in this series by scores of 3-4, 2-5, and 5-4. In their game three win, Washington trailed 4-1 in the later innings, but they were able to score four late runs for the win. The Nationals recorded 11 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Tena, Crews, Lowe, Wood, and Rosario, who all had one RBI in the win. Washington started Parker, who allowed four hits and four earned runs over 4.2 innings, while Ferrer got the win and Finnegan got the save. 

Prior to this series, the Nationals lost all three against the Cardinals and two out of three against the Guardians. Washington has lost seven of their last eight games, and they are currently fourth in the NL East standings. The Washington pitching staff has a 5.39 ERA with a 1.46 WHIP and a .266 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 181 runs with a .239 batting average and a .308 on-base percentage this season. James Wood has led Washington with 11 home runs and 25 RBIs, while Nathaniel Lowe has added seven home runs and 30 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Washington is Trevor Williams, who is 2-4 with a 5.88 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP over 41.1 innings pitched this year. 

Atlanta Braves Betting Preview

The Atlanta Braves are 21-22 this season after they lost game three in this series by a score of 5-4. Atlanta trailed 1-0 after the first inning, but they scored the next four runs in the game, before falling apart in the late innings for the loss. The Braves recorded eight hits and they committed two errors in the game, while they were led by Ozuna, who went 1-4 with two RBIs in the loss. Atlanta started Elder, who allowed five hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings, while De Los Santos allowed two hits and two earned runs out of the bullpen for the loss. 

Prior to this series, the Braves lost two out of three against the Pirates, but did win three out of four against the Reds before that. Atlanta has won three of their last five games, and they are currently third in the NL East standings. The Atlanta pitching staff has a 3.76 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and a .232 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 170 runs with a .240 batting average and a .312 on-base percentage this year. Austin Riley has led Atlanta with eight home runs and 26 RBIs, while Sean Murphy has added seven home runs and 17 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Atlanta is AJ Smith-Shawver, who is 2-2 with a 2.76 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP over 32.2 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Braves will beat the Nationals 

• The Nationals have lost seven of their last eight games.
• The Braves have won seven of their last eight games against NL East opponents following a loss.
• The Braves have covered the run line in four of their last five games as favorites against NL East opponents following a loss.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games against the Braves following a road win.
• The Braves have led after 5 innings in each of their last four home games.
• The Braves have led after 3 innings in three of their last four home games against National League opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Six of the Braves’ last seven day games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Four of the Nationals’ last five games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Nationals’ last nine day games at Truist Park.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Braves’ last seven Thursday games at Truist Park.

Atlanta Braves Player Prop Facts

• Matt Olson has hit at least one home run in four of the Braves’ last eight day games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• Matt Olson has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Braves’ last three day games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
• Austin Riley has recorded at least one Single in each of the Braves’ last nine games at Truist Park against opponents that held a losing record.
• Marcell Ozuna has recorded at least one hit in each of the Braves’ last 10 Thursday games.
• Ronald Acuna Jr. has scored a run in four of his last five appearances at Truist Park.

Washington Nationals Player Prop Facts

• CJ Abrams has hit a home run in two of his last three road appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• Amed Rosario has recorded at least one RBI in four of his last five appearances with the Nationals as road underdogs.
• Keibert Ruiz has scored at least one run in five of the Nationals’ last six road games against NL East opponents that held a losing record.
• Amed Rosario has recorded at least one Single in each of his last six appearances with his team as a road underdog against NL East opponents.
• Amed Rosario has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances at Truist Park.

Nationals vs Braves Prediction 

Washington was able to snap their lengthy losing streak with a comeback win on Wednesday night in game three, but they are just 8-14 on the road this year. The Nationals have had a ton of issues with their pitching staff, and they will start Williams, who has allowed four earned runs or more in three straight starts. Atlanta has had trouble stringing wins together this year, but they are 14-7 at home. The Braves are starting Smith-Shawver, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four straight outings. Take Atlanta to win by at least two runs here. 

David Racey's Pick: Braves -1.5