The Washington Nationals (1-3) take on the Atlanta Braves (2-2) Monday at Truist Park in Atlanta. First pitch is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Nationals vs. Braves odds with MLB picks and predictions.
This is the first meeting of 2022 between these NL East rivals. The World Champion Braves won 14 of 19 games between the two clubs in 2021.
The Nationals dropped the first three games of the season against the New York Mets before salvaging the finale of the four-game set 4-2 Sunday.
The Braves split a four-game home set against the Cincinnati Reds. The Braves won the second and third games of the series, bookended by a pair of 6-3 setbacks Thursday and Sunday.
Nationals at Braves: Projected starters
RHP Josh Rogers vs. RHP Huascar Ynoa
Rogers (2-2, 3.28 ERA) is expected to make his first start of the season, as RHP Anibal Sanchez (neck) is dealing with some stiffness in his neck and is doubtful to play.
- Went 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA with 19 IP across three road starts with a .278 opponent’s batting average last season.
- This will be his first-ever appearance against the Braves.
Ynoa (4-6, 4.05 ERA in 2021) makes his first start of the season. He posted a career-best 1.11 WHIP with 100 strikeouts across 91 IP through 17 starts and one relief appearance last season.
- Went 3-3 with a 2.88 ERA with a .182 opponent’s batting average across 50 IP in nine starts at home in 2021.
- Was 1-0 with a 1.06 ERA in three starts against the Nationals last year.
Nationals at Braves odds, spread and lines
- Money line (ML): Nationals +102 (bet $100 to win $102) | Braves -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Nationals +1.5 (-190) | Braves -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: -105 | U: -120)
Nationals at Braves prediction and picks
Prediction
Braves 7, Nationals 3
Money line
The BRAVES (-125) have a top-flight pitcher going against a replacement for the Nationals. Atlanta owned this series last season, and they’ll jump all over Washington in this series opener.
Run line/Against the spread
The BRAVES -1.5 (+155) are worth a look, although be careful. Each of their first two victories this season was a 1-run game. However, all three of the losses for the Nationals have been by 4 or more runs.
Over/Under
The OVER 9.5 (-105) is worth a small-unit play, mainly because of the uncertainty on the mound for the Nats.
The Under is 3-1 in four games so far for the Nats, while the Over is 2-1-1 in four outings for the Braves.
The Over was 4-1 in the final five meetings between these two clubs last season, with the Over going 11-5-1 in the previous 17 meetings in Atlanta between them.
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