The Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals meet in an NL East division matchup in MLB action from Nationals Park on Monday.

The Atlanta Braves will hope to build on their 8-7 win over Philadelphia on Sunday to salvage a split with their series against the Phillies. Matt Olson has 136 hits with a .233 batting average and a team-high 43 doubles while Marcell Ozuna has 100 hits with 16 doubles, 21 home runs and 51 RBIs. Austin Riley has 164 hits with 38 doubles, 37 home runs and 92 RBIs and Dansby Swanson also has 92 RBIs of his own as well as a .281 batting average and 170 hits this season. Bryce Elder will start here and is 1-3 with a 3.38 ERA and 36 strikeouts this season.

The Washington Nationals will try to build on their 6-1 win in their series finale against the Marlins in their last game. Cesar Hernandez has 133 hits with 27 doubles while Maikel Franco also has 85 hits and 15 doubles of his own. Keibert Ruiz also has 22 doubles and Nelson Cruz has 64 RBIs as well this season. Lane Thomas also has 17 home runs and 52 RBIs while Yadiel Hernandez has 41 RBIs as well this season. Cory Abbott will get the start here for the Nationals and is 0-3 with a 4.85 ERA and 32 strikeouts this season.

Atlanta is 7-3 in their last 10 games overall and 16-8 in their last 24 road games while the under is 9-4 in their last 13 games overall. Washington is 2-5 in their last 7 games overall while the under is 6-1 in their last 7 games overall.

I get the reasoning for backing the Nationals as this could be a bit of a bullpen game and the Nats beat the Braves bullpen already just last series. However, this game is crucial to Atlanta if they want to make this weekend’s set against the division-leading Mets mean anything. Top to bottom, the Braves are just the better team here, so give me Atlanta for the win in this one.