The Washington Nationals will try and end the Atlanta Braves' 13-game winning streak! It's time to continue our MLB odds series with a Braves-Nationals prediction and pick.
The last two weeks have been very kind to the Braves as they have found a way to win their last 13 in a row. After having a losing record, the Braves are now (36-27) on the season and are now just five games behind the New York Mets for the NL East lead. As for the Washington Nationals, they are just (23-41) on the season and are likely to finish in last place in the division and possibly the entire National League. The pitching staff for the Nationals is non-existent as Juan Soto needs more help in order for them to be successful.
Here are the Braves-Nationals MLB odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Braves-Nationals Odds
Atlanta Braves: -1.5 (-122)
Washington Nationals: +1.5 (+102)
Over: 9.5 (-102)
Under: 9.5 (-120)
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Why The Braves Could Cover The Spread
Right-hander Spencer Strider will toe the slab tonight as he is pitching well in his second season. Strider is (2-2) with a 2.35 ERA in 38.1 innings. He's pitching confidently and pitched over five innings in his last start against the Pittsburgh Pirates, earning the win. If Strider can put up another strong outing, he could turn himself into one of the best starters on this roster.
Offensively for the Braves, they are seeing production from a bunch of different faces. As of late, Dansby Swanson has been their top hitter as he is batting .291 with nine home runs and a team-leading 37 RBIs. With Ronald Acuna Jr. back and healthy, and Matt Olson and Austin Riley hitting the ball well, those are four very elite hitters that can lead them back to another postseason run. Wiliam Contreras, Marcel Ozuna, and Adam Duvall also hit a combined 28 homers this season so far.
The team just lost star second baseman Ozzie Albies to a fractured foot, as a result, put him on the 60-day IL. It's been two years in a row the Braves lose a star when things are going well. Let's see what they can do in the meantime.
If the Braves keep playing the way they are they will certainly win this game and could thin the cap between them and the Mets sooner rather than later.
Why The Nationals Could Cover The Spread
Pitching for the Nationals tonight is right-hander Erick Fedde. Fedde is (4-4) on the year with a 4.87 ERA in 57 innings pitched. He's not known as a strikeout hitter so the Braves should take advantage of that tonight. The Braves strike out a lot but if they are going up against a guy that allows contact, the Braves might be all over him.
Juan Soto is the Nationals and we all know that. Soto is one of the best pure hitters in the game but isn't seeing much success due to his team's failure. He is batting just .228 on the year and you can say that's on him, but when a majority of the time you are hitting and the bases are empty, it can get frustrating.
Josh Bell has seen some success this season as he is batting .294 with seven home runs and 38 RBIs. The offense desperately needs Bell, Soto, and Nelson Cruz to step up because if they'd don't, then the Nats will continue to struggle.
Final Braves-Nationals Prediction & Pick
The Braves are on a roll right now and I can't see the Nationals getting in their way. This matchup today feels like it could favor the Braves. Take them to cover this spread on the road.
Final Braves-Nationals Prediction & Pick: Braves -1.5 (-122)
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