Washington Nationals vs
Atlanta BravesPredictions & Preview

Washington Nationals Look to Upset Atlanta Braves in National League East Showdown as Jake Irvin Takes the Mound

The Washington Nationals are set to take on the Atlanta Braves in a National League East showdown on Monday, May 12, 2025. Both teams are looking to bounce back from recent struggles, with the Nationals currently on a five-game losing streak and the Braves coming off a tough series loss to the Pirates. Jake Irvin will be on the mound for the Nationals, while Grant Holmes will be starting for the Braves. Atlanta is favored to win, with the current line at -189.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Nationals +163 | Braves -189
• Spread: Nationals +1.5 (-128) | Braves -1.5 (+110)
• Total: Over/Under 8.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Atlanta will win straight-up is 65%.

Washington vs Atlanta Stats

Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals currently sit fourth in the NL East with a record of 17-24 and are looking to end their five-game losing streak. Offensively, they rank 18th in MLB in runs scored, batting average, OPS, and home runs, but have shown a willingness to manufacture runs with stolen bases. James Wood leads the team with 10 home runs and a .903 OPS, while Keibert Ruiz leads with a .292 batting average. On the mound, the Nationals pitching staff has struggled with a 5.45 ERA and 1.46 WHIP, while the bullpen has been a weak point in holding leads. Jake Irvin starts for Washington with a favorable track record against Atlanta. Defensively, the Nationals have committed few errors but their bullpen's MLB worst 7.13 ERA has been a major hurdle. Overall, they currently rank 22nd in power rankings, 17th in offense, and 27th in defense.

Atlanta Braves Analysis

The Atlanta Braves are currently third in the NL East with a record of 19-21. They have struggled offensively, averaging 3.92 runs per game and ranking 21st in batting average, OPS, and home runs. Austin Riley leads the team with 8 home runs and a .283 average, while Marcell Ozuna provides power in the middle of the lineup with a .841 OPS. Their pitching has been more consistent, with a 3.89 ERA and 8.53 strikeouts per game. Recently, the offense has been cold, scoring three or fewer runs in eight of their last 11 games. The bullpen and defense have been strengths, with just 14 errors and a 3.62 ERA from relievers. Grant Holmes will start tonight's game, despite struggling with home runs in his recent outings. The Braves have a power ranking of 10 and rank 20th in offense, 9th in defense, and are 19-21 overall. In their last three matchups, Washington went 1-2 against Atlanta.

Washington Nationals Rise to Challenge Against Atlanta Braves Behind Jake Irvin's Pitching Dominance

The Washington Nationals have established themselves as a formidable opponent for the Atlanta Braves, winning six of their last ten matchups despite being considered the underdog. Jake Irvin's pitching prowess has been a key factor in Washington's recent success, with the team winning four of his last five starts. Irvin's past record against the Braves, where he went 2-0 with an impressive 1.16 ERA over four starts last season, underscores the challenge the Braves will face. On the other hand, Grant Holmes of the Braves has shown signs of fatigue in his recent performances, with a 1-2 record in his last three starts and a 6.35 ERA. Considering these factors, backing Washington to break their losing streak in this matchup appears to be a favorable choice.

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