Atlanta will look to improve on its 81-63 record when take on Washington, a key part of the MLB odds lineup on Friday.

Ross Detwiler, with a record of 8-6 on the season, gets the ball for the Nationals, while the Braves trot Kris Medlen to the mound in this one. He is 7-0 so far in 2012.



View Washington vs Atlanta Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
If you're backing the visitors in this one, you'll find the Nationals listed as underdogs of +-170 at most sportsbooks. Total bettors saw the number open in the area of 7.5, depending on the book.

Power Rankings:
The Odds Shark MLB Power Rankings have the Braves at No. 6 in the National League and the Nationals at No. 1 in the National League heading into this contest.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Atlanta's No. 7 ranked National League offense (4.4 runs per game) against a Nationals defense and pitching staff that sits at No. 1 in the National League at 3.6 runs allowed per game. The Braves have been averaging 8.4 hits per game, less than the Nationals have managed so far this season (9.1 hits on average).

Washington brings the National League's No. 1-rated defense to this matchup, facing the Braves' league No. 4-ranked defense.

In their last action, Washington was a 2-0 Sportsbook on the road against the Mets. Bettors on Washington at +102 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (2) sent UNDER bettors home happy as well. John Lannan silenced the Mets bats in a 2-0 victory last time out versus New York at Citi Field.

Atlanta was an 8-2 loser in its last match on the road against the Brewers. They lost as +122 underdogs, while the total score of 10 made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors. Atlanta suffered an 8-2 loss against Milwaukee on Wednesday, as Paul Maholm wasn't able to lead his team to victory at Miller Park.


Washington Nationals Trends:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Atlanta are 5-5
After playing NY Mets are 7-3
After a win are 7-3

Atlanta Braves Trends:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Washington are 4-6
After playing Milwaukee are 7-3
After a loss are 5-5

A few Nationals at Braves trends to consider:
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Washington is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 18 of Atlanta's last 20 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Atlanta's last 10 games
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home


Next up:
Washington at Atlanta, Saturday, September 15