The Atlanta Braves (9-9, +1.41 Units) have struggled mightily offensively of late. They've got a favorable matchup on Monday night though when the Washington Nationals (7-12, -8.04 Units) come to town.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Nats have been favored in their last 10 games, but in their last five, they certainly haven't been advisable favorites. They've lost all eight games, averaging just 2.0 runs per game, and they have cost bettors 6.02 units in the process.
This though, is probably going to be the game where Washington won't be the favorite. The Braves aren't playing tremendous baseball either right now, but they have at least been relatively consistent. Atlanta has only been favored four times all season long, just twice of which have come here at Turner Field. The Braves have split home and away games as favorites.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Doug Fister got off to a good start to the season for Washington, allowing just one earned run in his first two starts. However, against the Cards, he was knocked around for five runs, four of which were earned over six innings.
Fister isn't striking out hardly anyone this year, as he has a K/9 of just 3.79, and if he doesn't improve that rate, he's going to really be knocked around hard in this game in all likelihood.
Eric Stults is coming off of a season in which he lost 17 games with the Padres, but he wasn't nearly as bad as that suggested.
The southpaw had a 4.30 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP last season, and his splits are actually just a tad better this year. That 1.19 WHIP of his is going to carry him far if he can keep it up in 2015, especially knowing that he hasn't had a game in which he has allowed more than eight base runners as of yet.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"It's not good. I don't feel too much comfortable right now. We've got a better team. We need to play a better game. It's real frustrating for the team, this game today. We have to keep our head up and try against tomorrow." – Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos after the Nats dropped their fifth game in a row on Sunday against Miami
SITUATIONAL BETTING
Remember when the Braves traded what was supposed to be one of the best closers in the game in Craig Kimbrel to San Diego before the start of the season? Now look at what they've got!
Jason Grilli has allowed just two hits, two walks and one run over seven innings of work, and he is 7-for-7 in the save department this season. The Braves have been good at the back of their bullpen, save for Jim Johnson, who has yet to really find his stride. If any other arm is in there though, feel free to fire away in live betting if Atlanta is ahead.
PROP TALK
After having an eight-game hitting streak, Ian Desmond has been atrocious for the Nats. He has gone 0-for-his-last-9 with seven strikeouts. Desmond has historically not been a tremendously streaky hitter, but until he can make contact again with the baseball, we want no part of him at the dish.
ANALYSIS & PREDICTION
Value is going to be on the side of the Braves once again in this game, particularly if they are only very short favorites or underdogs.
Fister is bothersome to us, and we think there is a reason that Detroit was willing to get rid of him. He just isn't a big strikeout pitcher, and we're not sure that that is going to fly against an Atlanta team that strikes out far too much against average pitchers.
If the Braves aren't striking out, they should be hitting the ball well, and if they do that and can get out of their scoring funk, they should be able to take out the struggling Nationals on Monday.
Atlanta 4, Washington 2
The MLB lines for this Monday contest will first be released by 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!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don't have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don't miss out on getting paid because you couldn't bet. Click here, and deposit at BookMaker now! The ballgame pitting the Washington Nationals versus the Atlanta Braves will commence Monday, April 27, 2015 at 7:10 p.m. ET at Turner Field in Atlanta, GA. You can watch the contest live on ESPN.
