Nationals vs. Braves Pick
The Washington Nationals and host Atlanta Braves resume their series Wednesday night at 7:10PM EST.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Nationals are a -157 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Braves are a +137 underdog and the over-under is 9.
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Gio Gonzalez (14-7, 2.68 ERA) gets the start for Washington, while Atlanta counters with Lucas Sims (2-5, 5.52). Gonzalez has a 1.15 ERA with 171 strikeouts in 184 2/3 innings. He allowed five earned runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts and one walk over five innings in an 8-0 home loss to the Braves his last start. Gonzalez has a 3.04 ERA in 97 2/3 road innings. Sims comes in with a 1.45 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 44 innings. He gave up two earned runs on three hits with with one strikeout and one walk over two innings in his last outing, a 7-3 home loss to the Mets. Sims has a 3.86 ERA in 23 1/3 home innings.
Washington has a 91-59 overall record and is 46-27 on the road, while Atlanta is 67-82 and 34-42 at home. The two teams are 5-5 in the last 10 meetings and the total has gone over seven times.
The Nationals won Tuesday night’s game by a count of 4-2 as Max Scherzer gave up two earned runs and struck out seven over seven innings for the win. Sean Doolittle picked up his 19th save. Trea Turner was 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, a stolen base, two runs and an RBI to pace the offense. Anthony Rendon went 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Ryan Zimmerman was 3-for-5 with a double and two RBIs. Luiz Gohara allowed four earned runs over 6 1/3 innings to take the loss for Atlanta. Kurt Suzuki was 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Dansby Swanson added an RBI double.
Washington is gearing up for the postseason and Gonzalez is going to want to be sharp as he prepares for his part in the rotation. Sims hasn’t quite shown he’s ready for the big leagues in his rookie season and the Nationals will likely take advantage.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: WASHINGTON NATIONALS -157