Nationals vs. Braves Pick
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Are the Washington Nationals and host Atlanta Braves poised to go over the total Tuesday night? First pitch is 7:35PM EST.
The Nationals are listed as a -205 favorite to win on the moneyline according to sports book Bovada.lv. The Braves are a +175 underdog and the over-under is set at 8.
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Max Scherzer (14-6, 2.59 ERA) draws the start for the Nationals, while the Braves counter with Luiz Gohara (1-1, 6.30). Scherzer has a 0.92 WHIP with 246 strikeouts in 184 1/3 innings. He has gotten torched his last two starts, however, as he’s allowed a total of 11 earned runs on 13 hits with 14 strikeouts and nine walks over 12 innings as Washington has gone 1-1 in the two outings. Scherzer has a 1.79 ERA in 90 2/3 innings on the road. Gohara holds a 1.40 WHIP with 12 strikeouts in 10 innings. He has made two starts at the MLB level, throwing six innings his last time out in an 8-2 win at the Nationals as he gave up two runs (one earned) on six hits with six strikeouts and no walk.
Washington has a 90-59 record and is 45-27 on the road, while Atlanta comes in at 67-81 and 34-41 at home. The Braves have won six of the last 10 meetings and the total has gone over seven times.
The Nationals lost two of three at home to the Dodgers, but did rebound for a 7-1 victory Sunday night. Stephen Strasburg allowed one earned run and struck out eight over six innings, seeing his franchise-record scoreless streak end at 36 innings. Ryan Zimmerman finished 3-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs to key the offense. Adam Lind contributed a pinch-hit two run homer. Daniel Murphy was 2-for-4 and scored a run. Atlanta lost two of three at home to the Mets, including Sunday’s 5-1 decision. Johan Camargo was 2-for-4 with a run. Julio Teheran gave up two earned runs and struck out seven over six innings to take the win.
Scherzer hasn’t fared well his last two starts, staying in too long losing feel for his pitches in his last start. He could still be feeling effects from the neck injury. Gohara is still figuring it out at the MLB level and although he was solid against the Nationals his last start, now they have a scouting report on him. This is a hitter’s ballpark, especially for left-handed hitters, and we’re siding with the over here.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: NATIONALS/BRAVES OVER 8