Braves vs. Nationals Prediction
After the Atlanta Braves won the series opener at the struggling Washington Nationals, yesterday’s series opener was postponed due to rain. Will Washington secure a series split with a win today as ace Max Scherzer is on the mound?
Game Snapshot
903 Atlanta Braves at 904 Washington Nationals
Sunday, July 22, 2018
Nationals Park at 1:35PM ET
TV: MASN 2 (WASH)
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Nationals are a -225 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Braves are a +200 underdog, while the total is set at 7.5 runs. As of Sunday morning, 55 percent of public bets are coming in on visiting Atlanta. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Scherzer looks to get Nats on track
The last we saw of Washington ace Max Scherzer, he was getting into a heated exchange with fellow pitcher Stephen Strasburg in the dugout Friday night which eventually continued into the clubhouse. Strasburg returned from the DL anointed by some as a savior in getting the Nationals’ season on track, but instead he imploded in his first start back as he allowed six runs on eight hits and did not make it out of the fifth inning of Atlanta’s 8-5 victory. Scherzer will look to have better luck, but he has taken a step back in his last three starts as he has given up 10 earned runs in 20 innings. Washington went 2-1 in those starts. Scherzer had not allowed more than two earned runs in the six previous starts before the current three-start stretch. Scherzer started the All-Star Game and allowed one earned run in two innings of work. He is 12-5 on the season with a 2.41 ERA and 182 strikeouts in 134 2/3 innings, giving him a WHIP of 0.90.
Foltynewicz hopes to rebound
Braves starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz has enjoyed a breakout 2018 season and became a first-time All-Star, throwing a scoreless inning in Tuesday night’s 8-6 loss in 10 innings by the National League. Foltynewicz struggled his last two starts before the break, giving up five earned runs in each game although to his credit he threw six innings in one and 6 2/3 frames in the other. He has dominated the Nationals this season, allowing four runs (three earned) on 11 hits with 22 strikeouts and four walks over 19 1/3 innings. Foltynewicz is 7-5 on the season with a 2.66 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 101 2/3 innings coming into today’s start, sporting a WHIP of 1.11.
MLB Betting Trends
Atlanta
The Braves are 8-2 in their last 10 Sunday games. Atlanta is 4-10 in Foltynewicz’ last 14 road starts.
Prediction:
With how much Washington has failed to put it together (6-6 in last 12 games after players only meeting), it seems like a good bet to go against the hosts today as huge favorites. Foltynewicz has shut down the Nats already this season, so it’s not out of the question he could outduel Scherzer here. Ozzie Albies might be out for Atlanta, but even so the Braves offense might only need two or three runs today with Foltynewicz backing them.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: ATLANTA BRAVES +200