Braves vs Nationals MLB Betting Preview & Pick – August 8th.

Braves vs Nationals MLB Betting Preview & Pick – August 8th

Written by on August 8, 2018

The Washington Nationals remain without No. 2 starter Stephen Strasburg, but his replacement, veteran lefty Tommy Milone has been quite good in his two starts. The Nats are Mybookie Sportsbook favorites behind Milone Wednesday at home in a national TV game vs. Atlanta.

How to Bet Braves at Nationals MLB Odds & TV Info

  • When: Wednesday, 7 PM ET
  • Where: Nationals Park, Washington, DC
  • Probable pitchers (away/home): Mike Foltynewicz/Tommy Milone
  • TV: ESPN
  • Stream: WatchESPN
  • Radio: TuneIn
  • MLB Betting Odds: Washington Nationals -112 / Atlanta Braves +102 (Total 9)

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Why Bet on Atlanta?

Both these teams could be a bit shorthanded in the bullpen because they played a doubleheader on Tuesday. This set marks the Braves’ final trip to Washington this season; they will play host to the Nationals for the final three games between the teams, September 14-16. The Braves’ three doubleheaders this year come a season after they had four doubleheaders, including two split ones. From 2014-2016 the club had a total of two doubleheaders. The Braves already have three rookie lefties with saves this year: Jesse Biddle (1), A.J. Minter (8) and Luiz Gohara (1). Since the save became an official stat in 1969, only two other clubs had three rookie left-handers collect a save: the 1990 Braves and the 1971 Chicago Cubs. That 1990 Braves club got saves from Tony Castillo (1), Kent Mercker (7) and Mike Stanton (2). The Braves have hit nine home runs in the eighth inning or later this season that has given the club the lead. That total is tied for the most in the National League with St. Louis and Colorado. The Braves are well over .500 vs. the NL East this year but have not had a winning intradivision record since 2014, when they went 40-36. Over the three previous seasons, the club went 103-124 (.454) against the N.L. East. Its All-Star Mike Foltynewicz (8-7, 3.04) on the mound. Foltynewicz threw six innings Thursday, yielding two runs on a walk and five hits (one homer) while striking out six and earning the victory over the Mets. Foltynewicz had allowed 18 runs over his last four starts, raising his season ERA from 2.02 to 3.04 during that span, so it was a much-needed strong outing from him. The 26-year-old right-hander still owns a solid 143:50 K: BB in 124.1 innings in 2018.

Why Bet on Washington?

The Nationals have signed RHP Greg Holland to a one-year contract. Holland was a shut-down closer as recently as last season in Colorado but has struggled mightily this year, delivering an ugly 7.92 ERA across 32 relief outings for St. Louis. The Nats are hoping the veteran will benefit from a change of scenery. Manager Davey Martinez said Holland will initially work in the sixth and seventh innings but could be promoted to a setup role later on. The Nationals are only on the hook for the prorated portion of the league minimum the rest of the season, with the Cardinals forced to cover the rest of Holland’s salary. So there isn’t much risk on the club’s part. Since July 9, Washington’s bullpen ranks second in the National League and third in Major League Baseball with a 2.76 ERA. On the season, Nationals relievers rank in the National League in walks per 9.0 IP (2nd, 2.95), strikeout-to-walk ratio (2nd, 2.92), WHIP (3rd, 1.20), and hits per 9.0 IP (4th, 7.86). Nationals relievers have allowed just 23.8 percent of inherited runners to score, the second-best mark in the National League and the third-best mark in Major League Baseball. Braves vs Nationals is set to begin at 7 PM ET. Entering Tuesday, Bryce Harper was hitting .367 (18-for-49) with six doubles, three homers, 10 walks, three stolen bases, and 12 runs scored in the first 15 games out of the All-Star break. He added his fourth home run in 16 games out of the break in the home half of the fourth in Game 1 vs. the Braves, hitting a 90 mph 1-1 fastball from left-hander Kolby Allard out to right field in Nationals Park. Washington No. 2 starter Stephen Strasburg (neck) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Thursday. It’ll be his first time throwing from the mound since being placed back on the disabled list on July 22. Nationals’ skipper Dave Martinez has already said that the right-hander will require at least one minor league rehab start before he’s ready to return. Tommy Milone is expected to continue to occupy his spot in the rotation in the meantime. Milone (1-0, 3.00) will make his third start with the Nationals here and he is coming off one of his best outings in years, when he struck out nine in seven innings of one-run ball last time out against the Mets.

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Latest MLB Betting Trends

  • Braves are 5-11 in Foltynewicz’s last 16 road starts
  • Braves are 5-12 in Foltynewicz’s last 17 starts vs. a team with a winning record
  • Nationals are 6-0 in Milone’s last 6 starts vs. National League East
  • Nationals are 7-0 in Milone’s last 7 starts
  • Atlanta is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
  • Atlanta is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Atlanta’s last 11 games
  • Washington is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games at home
  • Washington is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games

Expert MLB Bettting Prediction for Braves vs Nationals

The Nats are starting to heat up – back them here.