Atlanta Braves (67-58) vs Washington Nationals (56-70)
Game Info: Friday, August 23, 2024 at 7:20 pm (Truist Park)
The Line: Betting Odds: Atlanta Braves -245 / Washington Nationals +200 — Over/Under: 8.5
The Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves square off Friday in MLB action from Truist Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Washington Nationals will start MacKenzie Gore here and Gore is 7-11 with a 4.66 ERA and 136 strikeouts this season. In his last five starts against Atlanta, Gore is 3-1 with a 3.46 ERA and 29 strikeouts. Chris Sale will get the start for Atlanta here and is 14-3 with a 2.62 ERA and 187 strikeouts this season. In his career, Sale is 0-2 with a 3.95 ERA and 20 strikeouts against Washington.
Washington Nationals Recap
The Washington Nationals come into this one looking to build on their series win over the Colorado Rockies, taking out Colorado in Thursday’s rubber match by a final score of 8-3. The series win snapped a series losing streak for the Nats that included the Philadelphia Phillies last weekend as well as a split with the Baltimore Orioles last week.
Nationals Trying To Play Spoiler Against Division Rival
CJ Abrams has 115 hits along with 18 home runs and 60 RBIs to go along with 26 doubles, 6 triples and 25 stolen bases. Luis Garcia Jr. has a team-high 121 hits including 22 doubles with 63 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. Jacob Young has 29 stolen bases as well this season.
Why the Washington Nationals will win
- The Braves have lost each of their last six games as favorites against the Nationals following a win.
- The Nationals have won seven of their last eight games as underdogs against NL East opponents following a win.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the Braves’ last eight games at Truist Park.
- The Braves have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games against the Nationals following a win.
Atlanta Braves Recap
The Atlanta Braves come into this one looking to build on their series win over the Philadelphia Phillies, knocking off the division-leading Phils by a final score of 3-2 in Thursday’s series finale. The win extended Atlanta’s series win streak after taking out the Angels last weekend and the Giants last week as well.
Braves Trying To Sneak Up In NL East Race
Marcell Ozuna leads the Braves with 147 hits including 37 home runs and 94 RBIs while Orlando Arcia has 19 doubles and Ozzie Albies has a team-high 28 doubles, logging 93 hits as well this season. Ronald Acuna Jr. has a team-high 16 stolen bases as well this season but is out for the season with a torn ACL. Matt Olson has 25 doubles, 21 home runs and 64 RBIs with a team-high 145 strikeouts and Austin Riley has 26 doubles with a pair of triples, 19 home runs and 56 RBIs.
Why the Atlanta Braves will win
- The Nationals have lost each of their last six night games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Braves have won six of their last seven night games against National League opponents.
- The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in six of their last seven night games against the Braves following a win.
- The Braves have covered the run line in four of their last five games.
Nationals vs. Braves Prediction
I’m on the Braves here. I just don’t like the way MacKenzie Gore has looked in recent outings and the Braves have been doing a decent job of hitting against left-handed pitching. Chris Sale’s been at his best at home this season and the Braves have been almost perfect in Sale’s home starts and have won the bulk of them by multiple runs. I just think the Nationals are flat out overmatched here, so give me Atlanta -1.5.