Nationals vs. Braves Prediction
The Atlanta Braves have won six games in a row and hold a seven-game lead in the NL East standings. Can the second-place Washington Nationals get a game back today as they open a four-game series in Atlanta?
Game Snapshot
959 Washington Nationals at 960 Atlanta Braves
Thursday, September 5, 2019
SunTrust Park at 7:20PM ET
TV: MLB Network
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Nationals are a -108 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Braves are a -102 underdog, while the total sits at 9 runs. As of Thursday afternoon, 57 percent of public bets are being placed on host Atlanta. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Nats doubled up by Mets
Washington lost 8-4 at home Wednesday afternoon against New York to drop to 78-60 overall and 41-29 at home. Anthony Rendon helped lead the Nationals offense as he finished 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs. Trea Turner went 2-for-5 with an RBI. Asdrubal Cabrera ended the contest 1-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI. Anibal Sanchez took the loss as he surrendered seven earned runs on eight hits with two strikeouts and three walks over five innings. Stephen Strasburg gets the start tonght as he enters with a 16-5 record, 3.47 ERA and 1.04 WHIP plus 215 strikeouts across 179 innings pitched.
Braves win sixth in a row
Atlanta claimed a 7-2 home win over Toronto Tuesday night to win its sixth consecutive game and improve to 86-54 overall plus 46-24 at home. Josh Donaldson helped lead the Braves offense as he finished 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, a run scored and three RBIs. Tyler Flowers went 1-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Freddie Freeman ended the game 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run. Mike Foltynewicz picked up the win as he threw five shutout frames with two hits allowed, two strikeouts and three walks. Max Fried will take the mound tonight for Atlanta as he comes in with a 15-4 record, 4.05 ERA and 1.38 WHIP plus 150 strikeouts over 142 1/3 innings.
MLB Betting Trends
Washington
The Nationals are 5-0 in their last five road games. Washington is 5-1 in its last six Thursday games.
Atlanta
The Braves are 4-0 in their last five games following an off day. Atlanta is 6-0 in the last six Fried starts in a series opener.
Prediction:
Washington and Atlanta have both been red-hot for months and while the Nationals might not have enough time to make up seven games, if they win at least three out of four on the road in this series it could make the division race a little more interesting. With Strasburg on the mound, the Nats have the starting pitcher edge as Fried has benefited from a lot of run support all season. I’ll take my chances on Strasburg tossing a gem tonight and getting enough run support even if he doesn’t.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: WASHINGTON NATIONALS -108