Another big series in the NL East to open this week as surging Washington Nationals welcome first-place Atlanta Braves to town for a nationally televised affair. It’s a matchup of terrific southpaws on the mound with the Nats favored on the MLB Odds.
How to Bet Braves vs Nationals MLB Odds & Game Info
- When: Monday, 7 PM ET
- Where: Nationals Park
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Dallas Keuchel/Patrick Corbin
- TV: ESPN
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
- Radio: ESPN 1420
- MLB Odds: Washington Nationals -145 (Total 9.5)
Why Bet on Atlanta?
Star Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna was removed from Sunday’s game against the Phillies due to neck stiffness. After singling with two outs in the seventh, Acuna broke for second base with Ozzie Albies at the plate. He was ruled safe after a headfirst slide into the bag, but his neck and cheek collided with the left knee of Phillies shortstop Segura, who departed the game with a right shin contusion.
Acuna stayed in to run the bases, but he did not return to the field in the bottom half of the frame. Charlie Culberson took over in right field. The Braves are calling his exit a precautionary measure and he should be considered day-to-day. The 21-year-old phenom is hitting .295/.380/.507 with 25 homers, 64 RBI and 23 swipes on the season.
Acuna has reached base in 32 consecutive games. That streak dates to June 19 and is the longest active streak in the majors. This on-base streak is the longest of Acuna Jr.’s career, topping a 15-game run from April 8-25 of this year. Over his current stretch, which began on June 19, Acuna Jr. has hit .291/.392/.504 with 19 walks and 33 runs scored. The last Braves player to reach in 32 consecutive games was 1B Freddie Freeman in 2016 when he put together a 46-game streak from August 6-September 28. Freeman’s run was the third-longest in franchise history. The franchise record is 52 games by Gary Sheffield in 2002. Minnesota’s Jorge Polanco (37) has the longest streak in MLB this season.
Lefty Dallas Keuchel (3-3) allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out 12 across six innings Tuesday against the Royals. He did not factor in the decision. Keuchel hadn’t struck out more than five batters in any start entering Tuesday’s contest, and his 12 punchouts marked his highest total since September 6, 2015. He generated 22 called strikes and 17 swinging strikes across 102 total pitches. Keuchel has now notched four quality starts in his last five outings, bringing his ERA to 3.50 and WHIP to 1.26 across 43.2 innings for the campaign.
Keuchel is 0-2 with a 4.70 ERA in four career starts vs. Washington.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 5.35
- Hits: 9.09
- Walks: 3.65
- Strike Outs: 8.81
- Runs: 4.75
- Hits: 8.73
- Walks: 3.65
- Strike Outs: 8.61
Why Bet on Washington?
First baseman Matt Adams was scheduled to undergo more X-rays on his injured foot on Monday, as the results from Sunday’s X-rays were inconclusive due to the amount of swelling. Adams was hit in the foot by a pitch during Sunday’s game. It remains unclear if he’ll require a trip to the injured list. He has been starting because usual first baseman Ryan Zimmerman is on the injured list.
Since returning from the injured list on May 17, Trea Turner has been a spark to Washington’s offense. He leads the National League with 20 doubles and ranks in the NL in triples (T2nd, 4), stolen bases (2nd, 17) and hits (T4th, 74) since that date. Despite missing that time, he still ranks fourth in the National League in stolen bases with 21, just two behind the leaders (21, Acuna Jr./Dyson/Yelich). Since May 17, Juan Soto ranks second in Major League Baseball in on-base percentage (.425) behind only Mike Trout (.433).
Southpaw Patrick Corbin (8-5) allowed three hits and three walks while striking out seven across six innings to earn the win in the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Rockies. Corbin allowed three of his six baserunners in the first inning and retired 10 of the last 11 batters he faced. The only downside of his night was another multi-walk performance, as he’s now surrendered two or more free passes in three straight starts. However, he hasn’t allowed a home run in five of his last six starts. Corbin now has a 3.25 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 151 strikeouts across 130.1 innings for the season.
This will be the second time in his past three starts Corbin has faced the Braves. He gave up two runs on eight hits in five innings on July 19 at SunTrust Park. Corbin’s 1.68 ERA at Nationals Park is the second-best home ERA in the Majors. He is 5-1 with 78 strikeouts, 3 homers, and a .187 opp. AVG in 10 starts at Nationals Park.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.91
- Hits: 8.64
- Walks: 3.39
- Strike Outs: 8.34
- Runs: 4.52
- Hits: 8.39
- Walks: 3.14
- Strike Outs: 9.47
Braves vs Nationals MLB Betting Trends
- Over is 19-9-1 in the last 29 meetings in Washington
- Braves are 14-33 in the last 47 meetings in Washington
- Nationals are 6-0 in Corbin’s last 6 home starts
- Braves are 12-6 SU in their last 18 games against an opponent in the National League
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta’s last 5 games on the road
- Nationals are 14-6 SU in their last 20 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games against Atlanta
Expert Final Score Prediction for Braves vs Nationals
Atlanta Braves 3 – Washington Nationals 4
