Nationals vs. Braves Prediction
The Atlanta Braves have secured back-to-back home wins over the Washington Nationals to take back first place by 1.5 games in the hotly contested NL East. Can Atlanta stay hot this afternoon as the series continues?
Game Snapshot
953 Washington Nationals at 954 Atlanta Braves
Saturday, June 2, 2018
SunTrust Park at 4:10PM ET
TV: FSSO (ATL)
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Nationals are a -124 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Braves are a +114 underdog, while the over-under is set at 9 runs. As of Saturday morning, 73 percent of public bets are being placed on visiting Washington. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Nationals stymied by Foltynewicz
Atlanta starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz outdueled Nats starter Stephen Strasburg Friday night in what ended as a 4-0 home win for the Braves, their second in a row over Washington. Foltynewicz threw a complete game two-hit shutout, striking out 11 and walking one. His ERA on the season dropped to 2.22. A four-run seventh inning provided all the scoring, highlighted by a three-run home run off the bat of Dansby Swanson. Kurt Suzuki finished 2-for-3 with a run. Freddie Freeman was also 2-for-4, while Johan Camargo went 1-for-4 with a run and an RBI.
Washington offense goes silent
First place was on the line for the Nationals Friday night, but instead it could not muster any offense with Trea Turner and Bryce Harper each recording a single. Brian Goodwin also reached base, but was promptly picked off. Strasburg went 6 2/3 innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on seven hits with 10 strikeouts and no walks.
Gio Gonzalez (6-2, 2.10 ERA) will start today for Washington, while the Braves turn to Brandon McCarthy (5-2, 5.02).
MLB Betting Trends
Washington
The Nationals are 13-3 in their last 16 road games. Washington is 21-8 in its last 29 games.
Atlanta
The Braves are 6-2 in their last eight home games. The under is 6-2-2 in the last 10 meetings in Atlanta.
Prediction:
Gonzalez has been fantastic for Washington all season, while McCarthy is surviving on plenty of run support. I have to believe the Nats offense bounces back today against a weaker pitcher. Washinton certainly doesn’t want to fall an additional game behind first place, so expect to see a focused effort. Go with the road favorite.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: WASHINGTON NATIONALS -124