The Atlanta Braves (38-24), one of the best lineups in the league, are set to host the Washington Nationals (25-36) at Truist Park on Friday to open a three-game series.
The Nationals are kicking off a six-game road trip. They are coming off a two-game sweep at the hands of the Diamondbacks, dropping the finale 6-2 on Wednesday at Nationals Park for their fourth straight loss. Lane Thomas was 1 for 4 with a double and one run.
The Braves are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Mets, taking the finale 13-10 on Thursday at Truist Park for their fifth straight win.
Travis d’Arnaud went 3 for 4 with a home run, four runs, and two RBIs. Austin Riley went 4 for 6 with a home run, three runs, and two RBIs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Braves have won two of three in the season series between the NL East rivals, although they suffered a 4-1 defeat in their last meeting on April 2 at Nationals Park.
Starter MacKenzie Gore went 5.1 innings, giving up one run on three hits and striking out six, to get the win, and Kyle Finnegan picked up his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth.
ON THE MOUND
Josiah Gray (4-5, 3.09 ERA) is set for the start for Washington. The right-hander allowed four runs over 5.1 innings in his last start, an 8-7 road win over the Phillies on June 2. He yielded six hits while striking out four and walking two in the no-decision.
Gray has made one previous start against the Braves this season, a 7-1 home loss on April 1. He surrendered five runs on seven hits over five innings, striking out four and walking two.
Right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver (0-0, 0.00 ERA) gets the ball in his first start of the season for Atlanta. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Nationals.
In his last appearance on Sunday, Smith-Shawver came on in relief on the road against the Diamondbacks. He threw 2.1 scoreless, no-hit innings, striking out three and walking one in the 8-5 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The Washington offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .263/.327/.390. Thomas leads the team in OPS at .791. The center fielder is slashing .281/.336/.455 with nine home runs, 28 RBIs, and 39 runs over 60 games.
Against righties like Smith-Shawver this season, the Nats have a .682 OPS. Jeimer Candelario is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .838 OPS in 154 at-bats.
Atlanta is slashing .265/.335/.471 for the season and averaging 5.2 runs per game, fourth best in the league. Four Braves hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Ronald Acuna Jr. (.962).
The right fielder has 12 home runs, 34 RBIs, and 53 runs scored with a slash line of .332/.406/.556. Atlanta is averaging 7.8 runs per game in the last five with a better slash line (.360/.413/.603).
The Braves have a .768 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the fifth highest in MLB. With a .950 OPS over 194 at-bats, Acuna Jr. also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Washington is 13-15 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.9 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Atlanta has won four in a row in front of their home fans.
The Braves are 18-14 at home this season, averaging 5.1 runs per game while surrendering 4.9. Atlanta is 7-3 in the last 10 games at Truist Park between the teams with an average scoreline of 5.6-3.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Braves lead the NL East by three games over the Marlins. The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, 12 games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves -1.5 (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
