Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals Prediction: Can the Bats Get to AJ Smith-Shawver, Josiah Gray?
The Washington Nationals travel down south to Atlanta to take on the Braves tonight. Can the Bats get to AJ Smith-Shawver and Josiah Gray? Baseball betting expert Krabs breaks it all down.
Krabs - June 9, 2023, 3:47 PM EDT
5 minAtlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals Prediction: Can the Bats Get to AJ Smith-Shawver, Josiah Gray?
If the Oakland Athletics bullpen weren’t on pace to be one of the worst in MLB history, more people would be talking about how bad the Washington Nationals’ bullpen has been. With a 5.24 ERA in their last ten games and nearly a 5.00 ERA on the season, Washington has struggled to find any answers from their relievers. We saw what the Atlanta Braves just did to the New York Mets’ bullpen this week; imagine what they’ll do against the Nationals. With the total rising and up to 10.5, we might see twenty runs in Atlanta tonight.
Braves vs. Nationals Start Time and Where to Watch
- Date: Friday, June 9, 2023
- Start Time: 7:20 pm ET
- Where to Watch: MLB.TV
Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals Prediction
AJ Smith-Shawver makes his first career MLB start tonight against the Nationals. He pitched a few innings out of the bullpen earlier this year, but the Braves' fourth-ranked prospect will get the starting nod for the first time tonight. He’s in for a relatively tough challenge against an underrated Nationals’ lineup that ranks top ten in both hits, on-base percentage, and batting average this season.
The Nationals know how to put the ball in play, ranked first in baseball in strikeouts. Truist Park has been very hitter-friendly in 2023, and we just saw 45 runs between the Mets and Braves last series. Overs are 21-10-1 at Truist Park this season, mainly because of the Braves’ potent offense. A hitter-friendly ballpark should treat the Nationals’ offense well after a long homestand.
Atlanta ranks third in MLB in home runs with over 100 already on the season. Josiah Gray, who they will be facing tonight, has improved significantly in 2023, but his kryptonite has been giving up the long ball. The young righty did a good job of limiting the long ball in May, where he only allowed two for the entire month. He’s given up three home runs in just his last two starts combined. It seems like Gray may be regressing back to his former self.
This Braves’ offense is one of, if not the best, in baseball. Ronald Acuna, Eddie Rosario, Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley have been destroying the ball in June. The Nationals’ young starter and depleted bullpen may be in for a long night against the hottest offense in baseball.
This total opened up at 9.5 before getting steamed up to the current number of 10.5. Bet the over and watch the home runs fly before this total increases anymore.
Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals Pick
WSH/ATL o10.5 -105 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
MLB Odds
