NL East-Leading Braves Take On Sputtering Nationals

Though they’ve cooled off recently with a 4-6 record over their last 10 outings, the Atlanta Braves sit first in the NL East, 2.5 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies. After falling 4-2 to the Nationals on Wednesday night, the Braves will look to take the series win on Thursday to maintain and potentially extend their lead atop the division.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Braves come in as heavy favorites at -263 on the moneyline with the Nationals at +185.  The total for the game is set at 9 runs. Going into tonight’s matchup, Atlanta holds a 53-41 record as the favorite while Washington is 27-62 as the underdog.

Starting Pitchers Analysis

Atlanta sends Huascar Ynoa to the mound with a record of 4-5 and an ERA of 3.19 through 12 starts. The right-hander has taken the loss in four of his last five outings, most recently falling to the Colorado Rockies on September 3 after allowing four earned runs on five hits through 5.2 innings.

Erick Fedde starts for Washington, carrying a 6-9 record with a 5.27 ERA through 23 starts this season. The 28-year-old is 2-5 over his last 12 starts, sporting a 6.63 ERA over that span.

Atlanta News & Notes

Despite losing Ronald Acuna Jr. to a torn ACL on July 10, the Braves offence has hardly missed a beat. The five-pronged attack of Austin Riley, Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson and Adam Duvall has carried Atlanta to an average of 4.90 runs per game, making it the eighth-most potent offence in the majors.

Though the Nationals kept the Braves quiet on Wednesday, Albies knocked in four runs on two hits and one home run in the series opener on Tuesday, bringing his season batting average to .260 with 27 homers and 93 RBIs.

Sitting at 73-65 and first in the NL East, the Braves will want to capitalize on Thursday by taking the series win over the lowly Nationals.

Washington News & Notes

It’s been a long season for the Nationals, who share the worst record in the division with the Miami Marlins at 58-81. Things haven’t gotten any better for them recently as they’ve dropped seven of their last 10 games. When you trade two star players in Max Scherzer and Trea Turner, though, that’s bound to happen.

Right-fielder Juan Soto has been one of the few bright spots on the team, sporting a .302 batting average along with 25 home runs and 82 RBIs, including the game-winning dinger on Wednesday night. First baseman Josh Bell has been slugging along as well with 24 homers and 76 RBIs.