Bryce Elder, one of this season’s toughest pitchers, leads the way for the Atlanta Braves (40-24) as they match up against the Washington Nationals (25-38) at Truist Park on Sunday with the home team looking for a sweep of the three-game series.
The Braves lead the series 2-0 after winning 6-4 on Saturday, their seventh straight victory overall and fourth in five games against the Nationals this season.
Jared Shuster got the win, giving up three runs on eight hits over five innings, and A.J. Minter pitched the ninth to earn his ninth save.
Ronald Acuna Jr. went 3 for 4 with a home run and two doubles in the win. He scored two runs and had three RBIs. Kevin Pillar added a double and two runs. Lane Thomas was 2 for 4 with a triple and a double for the Nationals. He scored one run and drove in two.
ON THE MOUND
Trevor Williams (2-4, 4.15 ERA) is in line to get the start for Washington. The right-hander allowed four runs over 5.2 innings in his last start, an 11-3 home defeat against the Phillies on June 4. He took the loss, giving up six hits while striking out six and walking four.
Williams is making his first appearance against the Braves this season. Over two appearances (zero starts) against the Braves in 2022, Williams was 0-0 with a 3.52 ERA over 7.2 innings. He had eight strikeouts and two walks. Right-hander Elder (4-0, 2.26 ERA) gets the ball for Atlanta.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the Nationals. Elder made three appearances against the Nationals in 2022, all starts, striking out 16 and walking three over 20.1 innings (2-0, 1.77).
In his last start on Tuesday, Elder got the win at home against the Mets. He threw six innings and gave up four runs on four hits, striking out eight and walking two in the 6-4 triumph. The RHP leads the NL in ERA.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Washington has averaged only 3.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.2, while performing worse across the board (.235/.266/.361). Against right-handed pitchers like Elder this season, the Nats have a .677 OPS.
Jeimer Candelario is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .826 OPS in 157 at-bats. Atlanta is averaging 7.0 runs per game in the last five, up from 5.2 for the season, with an improved slash line (.322/.375/.554).
The Braves have a .764 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .938 OPS over 171 at-bats, Matt Olson has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Washington is 13-17 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Atlanta has won six in a row at Truist Park.
The Braves are 20-14 at home this season, averaging 5.1 runs per game while surrendering 4.8. In the last 10 games at Truist Park between the NL East rivals, Atlanta is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 5.6-2.8.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Braves lead the NL East by four games over the Marlins. The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, 13 games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves -2.5 (+115)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
