Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 9/10/2024 6:45 PM EST

We have your Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Atlanta Braves hit the road to face the Washington Nationals.

Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals Odds Info

Best Moneyline Odds: Atlanta Braves -135 (DraftKings) / Washington Nationals +122 (Caesars)
Best Spread Odds: 1.5 - Atlanta Braves +114 (FanDuel) / Washington Nationals -137 (FanDuel)
Best Total Odds: 8.0 - Under -114 (FanDuel) / Over -105 (BetMGM)

Game Info

Date: 9/10/2024
Time: 6:45 PM EST
Location: Nationals Park (Washington, District of Columbia)
TV: MLB.TV

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

In the past three matchups between the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals, the Braves have emerged victorious twice, while the Nationals have secured one win. These games took place over a span of three days, from August 23 to August 25, 2024. The home team has won two of these encounters, with the visiting team claiming victory once. In terms of betting outcomes, the Nationals have covered the spread in two games, while the Braves have done so in one. Notably, all three games have gone under the projected total score, with none surpassing the over-under line. Across these games, the Nationals have shown a tendency to perform better against the spread, despite the Braves having a slight edge in overall wins.

The most recent game on August 25, 2024, saw the Washington Nationals defeating the Atlanta Braves with a final score of 5-1. The Nationals took an early lead in the first inning, capitalizing on a double play to score their first run. The Braves managed to level the score in the sixth inning with a home run by Matt Olson. However, the Nationals regained control in the seventh inning, scoring three runs, including one on a wild pitch and another from a double by Jacob Young. CJ Abrams further extended the lead with a single that brought in Young. In the ninth inning, Abrams reached on an infield single, allowing Young to score again, sealing the victory for the Nationals. The Nationals' pitching was particularly effective, allowing only four hits and striking out 12 batters, while the Braves' pitching staff struggled, giving up five runs on eight hits.

In the game on August 24, 2024, the Braves secured a 4-2 victory over the Nationals. The Braves were the home team and the favorites, with a moneyline of -190. They managed to cover the spread, winning by two runs. The game remained under the total score line, with a combined six runs scored. The Braves' offense was more productive, recording 11 hits compared to the Nationals' 10. The Braves' pitching staff also performed well, striking out seven Nationals batters. In the first game of the series on August 23, 2024, the Braves won 3-2 in a closely contested match. The Braves were again the favorites, with a moneyline of -275, and they managed to win despite not covering the spread. The game also went under the total score line, with only five runs scored. The Braves' pitching was solid, allowing two runs on 10 hits, while the Nationals' pitching allowed three runs on eight hits.

Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals Preview

The Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals are set to clash in a pivotal matchup at Nationals Park, with both teams having distinct motivations as they approach the end of the season. The Braves, currently holding a 78-66 record, are in a tight race for a National League wild-card spot, trailing the New York Mets by just one game. After a disappointing 1-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, where Charlie Morton's stellar pitching performance was overshadowed by a lack of offensive support, the Braves are eager to regain momentum. Their upcoming series against the Nationals is crucial, especially with a challenging four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers looming on the horizon.

Reynaldo Lopez will take the mound for the Braves, bringing an 8-5 record and a commendable 2.04 ERA into the game. Lopez has shown resilience since returning from the injured list, posting a 1.96 ERA in his last four starts. However, his history against the Nationals is mixed, with a 0-1 record and a 5.06 ERA in three career starts. This season, he has been more effective against Washington, holding a 2.25 ERA despite not securing a win. Lopez's recent outing against the Colorado Rockies saw him strike out a season-high 11 batters, indicating his potential to dominate the Nationals' lineup.

On the other side, the Nationals, with a 64-79 record, are looking to build on promising individual performances despite their struggles this season. MacKenzie Gore, their starting pitcher, has been a bright spot, especially in recent games. With a 1-0 record and a 2.00 ERA over his last three starts, Gore has found his rhythm, emphasizing aggression and execution. His career numbers against the Braves are impressive, boasting a 3-1 record and a 3.09 ERA. This season, he has been particularly effective, with a 2-0 record and a 1.65 ERA in three starts against Atlanta.

Offensively, the Braves will rely on Matt Olson, who has been a consistent performer, even in games where the team has struggled to score. Meanwhile, the Nationals are hoping for a resurgence from CJ Abrams, who recently broke out of a slump with a home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Nationals' lineup will need to capitalize on any opportunities against Lopez, especially given their recent struggles against top-tier pitching.

As the Braves and Nationals prepare to face off, the stakes are high for Atlanta, who cannot afford to drop games if they hope to secure a playoff berth. The Nationals, playing the role of spoiler, will aim to disrupt the Braves' postseason aspirations while building towards the future with promising performances from their young talents.

Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals Pick: Atlanta Braves Against the Spread

As the Atlanta Braves prepare to face the Washington Nationals, the odds and recent performances suggest a strong case for backing the Braves against the spread. The Braves, with a 78-66 record, are in a critical phase of their season, vying for a National League wild-card spot. Their urgency to secure wins is palpable, especially after a narrow 1-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, where their offense failed to support a stellar pitching performance by Charlie Morton. This sense of urgency is likely to fuel their performance against the Nationals, a team they have historically fared well against.

Reynaldo Lopez, the Braves' starting pitcher, brings a commendable 2.04 ERA into this matchup. Despite a mixed history against the Nationals, Lopez has shown resilience and potential, particularly since returning from the injured list. His recent outing against the Colorado Rockies, where he struck out a season-high 11 batters, underscores his capability to dominate opposing lineups. This bodes well for the Braves, especially considering the Nationals' struggles against top-tier pitching.

On the offensive front, the Braves will rely heavily on Matt Olson, who has been a consistent performer. His ability to deliver in crucial moments will be vital as the Braves look to capitalize on any scoring opportunities. The Nationals, on the other hand, have shown inconsistency, with CJ Abrams being one of the few bright spots in their lineup. Despite Abrams' recent home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Nationals' overall offensive output has been lackluster, which could be a significant disadvantage against a motivated Braves team.

Furthermore, the Braves have a slight edge in recent head-to-head matchups, having won two of the last three games against the Nationals. This trend, combined with their current playoff aspirations, makes them a formidable opponent. The Braves' ability to cover the spread is further supported by their recent performances, where they have managed to secure victories even when not favored by the odds.

The combination of the Braves' playoff motivation, Lopez's potential to stifle the Nationals' offense, and the historical edge in recent matchups makes the Atlanta Braves a compelling pick against the spread in this crucial encounter.

Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals Top Player Prop Picks

Reynaldo Lopez Over 5.5 Strikeouts -123 (Caesars)

Reynaldo Lopez has been a force on the mound since returning from the injured list, boasting a 1.96 ERA in his last four starts. His recent performance against the Colorado Rockies, where he struck out a season-high 11 batters, highlights his ability to dominate opposing lineups. Despite a mixed history against the Nationals, Lopez's current form suggests he is well-positioned to surpass the 5.5 strikeouts line. The Nationals' lineup, which has struggled against top-tier pitching, presents an opportunity for Lopez to continue his strikeout prowess, making the over on this prop a compelling choice.

MacKenzie Gore Under 16.5 Pitching Outs -120 (bet365)

MacKenzie Gore has shown improvement in recent outings, but the Atlanta Braves' lineup poses a significant challenge. While Gore has been effective against the Braves this season, the urgency of Atlanta's playoff push and their offensive capabilities, led by Matt Olson, could limit Gore's ability to pitch deep into the game. The Braves' need to capitalize on every opportunity to secure a wild-card spot may lead to a more aggressive approach at the plate, potentially cutting Gore's outing short. Given these factors, the under on 16.5 pitching outs for Gore appears to be a prudent pick.

CJ Abrams Over 0.5 Runs Scored 110 (DraftKings)

CJ Abrams has recently shown signs of breaking out of his post-All-Star slump, highlighted by a home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates. As the Nationals look to play spoiler against the Braves, Abrams' ability to get on base and create scoring opportunities will be crucial. With the Braves' Reynaldo Lopez having a mixed track record against the Nationals, Abrams has a favorable chance to cross the plate at least once. His recent performance and the Nationals' desire to disrupt the Braves' playoff hopes make the over on 0.5 runs scored for Abrams an attractive proposition.