Washington Nationals vs
Atlanta BravesPredictions & Preview

Chris Sale Outshines Mackenzie Gore as Atlanta Braves Favored in Showdown with Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals are facing off against the Atlanta Braves in the first game of a three-game series at Truist Park. The Nationals are coming off a win against the Colorado Rockies, while the Braves secured a victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. With the Nationals in fourth place in the NL East and the Braves in second, both teams are sending impressive left-handed pitchers to the mound: Mackenzie Gore for the Nationals and Chris Sale for the Braves. Atlanta is the favorite in this matchup, with the current betting line at -264.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Nationals +228 | Braves -264
• Spread: Nationals +1.5 (+105) | Braves -1.5 (-125)
• Total: Over/Under 7.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Atlanta will win straight-up is 73%.

Washington vs Atlanta Stats

Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals recently had an impressive 8-3 win over the Colorado Rockies, with a strong offensive showing and a standout performance by pitcher Patrick Corbin. Young left-hander Mackenzie Gore is set to start next and has shown promise this season despite a losing effort in his last outing. The Nationals currently have a power ranking of 28 and are ranked 18th in offense, 24th in defense, and have a record of 58-70 for the season.

Atlanta Braves Analysis

The Atlanta Braves recently secured a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, showcasing strong hitting with Adam Duvall hitting a home run. Spencer Schwellenbach pitched well, allowing only two runs in 6.2 innings. Veteran pitcher Chris Sale will be starting the next game with an impressive record of 14-3 and a 2.62 ERA. The Braves have a power ranking of 19, ranking #16 for offense and #2 for defense, with a record of 68-59. Additionally, Washington has struggled in their recent matchups against Atlanta, going 0-3.

Chris Sale Outshines MacKenzie Gore as Braves Are Favored in Opening Game against Nationals

There is a notable contrast in the performance of pitchers MacKenzie Gore and Chris Sale in their respective recent starts. MacKenzie Gore holds a record of 1-4 with a 7.11 ERA and a 2.02 WHIP in 31.2 innings, while Chris Sale boasts a record of 3-0 with a 2.41 ERA and a 13:60 walk-to-strikeout ratio in 41.0 innings. Additionally, the recent offensive outputs of the Nationals and Braves further highlight a significant gap. The Nationals have been averaging 4.15 runs over their last 13 games, while the Braves have been scoring 5.21 runs over their past 14 games. Based on these statistics, it is recommended to consider the Atlanta Braves as the favored team to emerge victorious in the opening game of this series.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ]