The Washington Nationals (13-24) and Atlanta Braves (23-15) play the third game of a four-game series Saturday at Truist Park after splitting a doubleheader Friday. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Nationals-Braves MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Nationals at Braves: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Erick Fedde vs. LHP Max Fried
Fedde: 1-3, 4.71 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 3.1 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, 28 2/3 IP, 7 games (4 starts)
- Comes into Saturday with back-to-back losses against the Philadelphia Phillies. Allowed a total of 10 earned runs over 11 innings in the two games.
- Had allowed just 2 earned runs across 10 1/3 innings over his previous three relief appearances.
Fried: 6-0, 1.60 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 8.6 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, 45 IP, 8 starts
- Sports a career-best ERA and WHIP through his opening eight starts but has benefited from not allowing a home run yet this season.
- Picked up the win in each of his last three outings with a total of 4 earned runs allowed.
- Hasn’t completed 7 innings yet this season and has topped 100 pitches just once.
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Nationals at Braves: Key injuries
(Get the latest injury news here.)
Nationals
- 2B Starlin Castro (wrist) out
- OF Adam Eaton (knee) questionable
- OF Juan Soto (elbow) questionable
Braves
- 2B Ozzie Albies (wrist) out
Also see: BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
Nationals at Braves: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 8:58 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Braves 10, Nationals 3
Moneyline (ML)
The Braves (-239) are heavy favorites with their breakout ace on the mound. The two teams split Friday’s doubleheader, but Atlanta scored a total of 16 runs to Washington’s 11. The Nationals (+210) had lost their previous six games coming into the series while the Braves sit atop the NL East.
PASS on the moneyline as there just isn’t enough value to justify backing the favored Braves. The spread will be the better bet with Fried having such a big advantage in the starting pitching matchup.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The BRAVES -1.5 (-121) are the much better play and safe bet with Fried starting against the swingman Fedde. There is regression coming for Fried due to the fact he hasn’t allowed a home run yet this season but it won’t come Saturday, especially with the Nationals likely to be without Soto and Eaton.
Over/Under (O/U)
The Braves have scored double-digit runs in three of their last six games with at least six runs scored in each game. Back the OVER 9.5 (-110) and expect the home side to take care of the total on their own as Fedde has another abbreviated outing.
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