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Reynaldo Lopez and the Atlanta Braves begin a weekend NL East series with the Washington Nationals on Thursday evening in the Nation's Capital. It's time to continue our MLB odds series with a Braves-Nationals prediction and pick.
Braves-Nationals Projected Starters
Reynaldo Lopez vs. Mitchell Parker
Reynaldo Lopez (3-2) with a 1.73 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP
Last Start: In his last start, Reynaldo Lopez went six innings, giving up four hits and two walks. This led to just one run being scored, and Lopez taking the win over the Athletics.
2024 Road Splits: Lopez has made four starts on the road this year. He has pitched 21.2 innings, giving up seven runs, with six earned. This has led to a 2.49 ERA as opponents have hit .232 against him on the road. Lopez also has a 1-2 record on the road.
Mitchell Parker (4-3) with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP.
Last Start: Last time out, Parker went 5.2 innings against the Cleveland Guardians, giving up just four hits but walking four. He also gave up three runs but took the loss in the game.
2024 Home Splits: Parker has made three starts at home this year, going 2-0 with a 2.41 ERA. Opponents are hitting just .221 with three home runs when Parker is at home.
Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Braves-Nationals Odds
Atlanta Braves: -1.5 (-113)
Moneyline: -186
Washington Nationals: -+1.5 (-106)
Moneyline: +156
Over: 9 (+102)
Under: 9 (-124)
How to Watch Braves vs. Nationals
Time: 6:45 PM ET/ 3:45 PM PT
TV: BSSE/MASN
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Braves Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Braves are 12th in the majors in runs scored this year while sitting eighth in batting average, seventh in on-base percentage, and eighth in slugging. Marcell Ozuna has been solid this year on offense. He is hitting .313 on the year with a .392 on-base percentage. He has 17 home runs and 12 RBIs, good for 53 RBIs. Further, he has scored 35 times this year. Joining him in having a solid year is Matt Olson. Olson is hitting .236 but with 14 doubles and nine home runs. He also has 33 RBIs and 27 runs scored. Rounding out the top bats is Ozzie Albies. Albies is hitting .275 with four home runs, 29 RBIs and 27 runs scored.
It has been the combination of Ozuna, Albies, and Olson who have carried the Braves in the last week as well. Ozuna is hitting .348 with a home run, five RBIS and four runs scored. Albies are hitting .304 in the last week with a home run, three runs scored, and four RBIs. Finally, Olson is hitting .273 in the last week, with a home run, four RBIS, and three runs scored.
Current members of the Braves are hitting .208 lifetime against Mitchell Parker in 24-lifetime at-bats. Adam Duvall has had some success against Parker. In three at-bats, he has just one hit, but it is a two-run home run. Meanwhile, Matt Olson has the other extra-base hit against Parker, going one for three with a double.
Why The Nationals Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Nationals are 23rd in runs scored while sitting 23rd in batting average, 22nd in on-base percentage, and 29th in slugging. Joey Meneses has been solid this year. He is hitting .236 this year with a .298 on-base percentage. He has scored just 12 runs and hit just two home runs, but he has driven in 30 runs this year. Jesse Winker has also been solid this season. He is hitting .244 with six home runs, driving in 28 runs this year. He has scored 29 times in the year. Rounding out the top bats on the year is CJ Abrams. He has hit .249 this year, with nine home runs and 26 RBIs. Further, he has 32 runs scored.
In the last week, the offense for the Nationals has been solid. Joey Meneses has not hit great but is driving in runs. He is hitting just .200 but has six RBIs. Jesse Winker is hitting well, hitting .280 in the last week, with five RBIs and four runs scored. Rounding out the top producers in the last week is Lane Thomas. Thomas is hitting .296 in the last week with a home run, five RIBS, and four runs scored.
Current Nationals have 28 career at-bats against Reynaldo Lopez. Still, that is over just three batters. Eddie Rosario has 21 at-bats, and just four hits, with a double, a home run, and five RIBs. Joey Gallo has six at-bats with three strikeouts and two walks. Nick Senzel has the other at-bat, and it was a strike-out.
Final Braves-Nationals Prediction & Pick
The Nationals have not hit well this year, although they have had a few players hit well as of late. Further, they do not have a solid history against Reynaldo Lopez. The Braves have their big three hitting well and should be able to continue that against Mitchell Parker. Take the Braves in this one.
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Final Braves-Nationals Prediction & Pick: Braves ML (-186)
