ODDS ANALYSIS
It's been a difficult opening month of the season for the Washington Nationals, who were projected as a World Series contender before the season started. With wins in seven of nine games heading into their weekend series though, the Nats have seemingly found some consistency as they look to reach the .500 mark.
Not much was expected from the Braves but a competitive first month of the season has them clinging to second place in the NL East entering a weekend series with the Nats. Atlanta has been a safe bet this season in the black 1.42 units on the moneyline and 2.12 units on the runline but the braves are the top over play in the NL going 17-9-2 and exceeded the total in all three games of a set with the Nats in late April.
Washington has been a profitable pick on the total also with the over 16-12-1 on the year. However, the Nats struggled in six games prior to this series with the under going 4-2. Washington’s best offensive performances came in the final two games of a series in Atlanta when the Nats scored 13 runs in consecutive games to spark their 7-2 run. Washington is down 4.98 units on the moneyline through 29 games but is in the black 4.38 units during its nine-game run.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Atlanta's Julio Teheran (3-1, 3.82 ERA) addressed his recent struggles by proving more aggressive with his fastball tossing six scoreless innings against the Reds on Saturday for his first decent outing since his Opening Day start. He allowed just three hits with six strikeouts getting his ERA below 4.00.
Teheran went 5.2 innings against the Nats on Apr. 28 allowing 10 hits and seven runs, only three of which were earned, in a 13-12 loss. Jose Lobaton and Denard Span touched him for home runs in a game the Braves failed to hold a 10-2 lead.
Doug Fister (2-1, 2.61 ERA) tossed 6.1 shutout innings in Sunday’s win over the Mets allowing just five hits. It was a nice bounce-back effort after getting touched up for four earned runs in each of his previous two outings.
Fister allowed 10 hits and five runs – four earned – over 5.2 innings in an 8-4 loss at Atlanta on Apr. 27, it was his first career loss against the Braves in four decisions. Fister has a lifetime 2.28 ERA over 27.2 innings against Atlanta.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“Location, fastball were the biggest things. Early on I made a few pitches that were up. We had to make a quick adjustment getting hose pitches down. It was really a matter of throwing the changeup to offset the fastball and really locate the fastball.” – Nationals pitcher Doug Fister after 6.1 scoreless innings against the Mets on Sunday.
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
After finishing up a nine-game road trip just 11 days ago, the Braves embark on another nine-game roadie starting in Washington this weekend. The last trip didn’t go to well for the Braves as they ended up with only three wins going 1-5 over the final six games. Atlanta’s Julio Teheran started twice during the last trip and was cuffed around by the Jays and Mets for nine runs and 10 hits with seven walks. Teheran failed to make it past the fifth inning in each start and was taken off the hook for a loss at Toronto when his mates rallied. Look for the Nats to put some pressure on the Braves and Teheran early on Saturday.
PROP TALK
Following a three homer game Wednesday against the Marlins, Nats right fielder Bryce Harper has numbers everyone expected to see from the superstar. The average is still not where he would like it to be, but Harper is doing things to help ignite the team’s offense. He’s nearing last year’s totals of 13 homers and 32 RBIs, which he amassed in 352 at-bats over 100 games, by swatting eight homers with 20 RBI's through 29 games this season. More importantly Harper is getting on base with a league-leading 26 walks and his OBP is at a career-high .416. Watch for Harper to work Julio Teheran and reach base by hit or walk and score a few runs off the Braves.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Braves have exceeded expectations through the first month of the season and are in the middle of the pack in the NL East. Things have a way of evening out over the course of a long season and we don’t expect the Braves to be here in another month. But they are enjoying it while they’re here with an offense that scores slightly fewer than 4.5 runs per game. The pitching has been solid but without a true ace and closer, that’s not going to last.
Waiting about a month to put everything together the NL East favorite Nationals seem to be on the right path after a rocky start to the year. The starting pitching, supposed to be the strongest part of the team, had its difficulties but a pair of 1-0 victories over the division-leading Mets last weekend has the team thinking happy thoughts. Then a breakout game from phenom Bryce Harper was even more encouraging as the Nats look to recover from a horrendous start. Doug Fister has been the ace and he shuts down the Braves as the Nats get a win on Saturday.
Washington 7, Atlanta 2
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2015, at 4:05 p.m. ET at Nationals Park. The contest will be televised nationally on FS1.
