The Washington Nationals (17-26) and Atlanta Braves (26-19) continue a four-game series at Nationals Park Saturday with the third installment. First pitch is slated for 6:05 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Braves-Nationals MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Series: The Braves took the opener 7-6 Thursday but the Nats responded with an 8-7 12-inning win Friday.
Braves at Nationals: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Ian Anderson vs. LHP Patrick Corbin
Anderson: 2-0, 3 starts, 2.40 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 10.8 K/9, 4.2 BB/9, 15 IP
- Walks are an early issue for Anderson, but he’s able to get himself out of jams with strikeouts and has allowed just one home run through 15 innings.
- Beat the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in his first two MLB starts with 6 innings pitched both times, but he took the no-decision against the Miami Marlins last time out with 2 runs (one earned) allowed over just 3 innings.
Corbin: 2-4, 8 starts, 4.34 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, 45 2/3 IP
- Strikeout rate is at its lowest since 2015 with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- Pitching much better at home with a 3.33 ERA through 4 starts and 24 1/3 innings vs. a 5.48 ERA across 4 starts and 21 1/3 innings as a road starter.
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Braves at Nationals: Key injuries
(Get the latest injury news here.)
Braves
- OF Ronald Acuna Jr. (foot) questionable
- C Tyler Flowers (triceps) questionable
Nationals
- 2B Starlin Castro (wrist) out
- RP Sean Doolittle (upper body) out
- 2B Howie Kendrick (hamstring) out
Also see: BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
Braves at Nationals: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:35 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Nationals 3, Braves 2
Moneyline (ML)
The NATIONALS (+105) walked it off Friday but remain underdogs as they’ve been in all eight head-to-head meetings so far this season.
The availability of Acuna looms large Saturday for the Braves (-115). The NL East’s top-seeded team is likely to play it safe with the star outfielder – even with X-rays returning negative Friday night after he left the game after fouling a ball off his foot
Anderson has been excellent through his first three MLB starts, but Corbin continues to pitch extremely well at home. Take the plus-money value of the underdogs with the season series tied 4-4.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
Play it safe and grab the NATIONALS +1.5 (-162) with one run of insurance in the event of a loss. Washington has covered in six of the eight head-to-head meetings this season and is 12-8 as the underdog on the year.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Nationals to lose by a single run or win outright returns a profit of $6.17.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the UNDER 8.5 (-110) in a strong pitching matchup. Anderson has already topped quality New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox lineups while pitching deep into both games, and Corbin (3.33 ERA) is excellent in his home park.
The season series is 7-0-1 against the Over/Under but look for Anderson and Corbin to buck that trend.
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