by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Sep 08, 2021
Game time: 7:20 p.m. ET
Venue: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
Where to watch: MASN, Bally Sports South
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Braves -235, Nationals +190
BetMGM: Braves -222, Nationals +180
Caesars: Braves -213, Nationals +193
Season record
Nationals: 57-81 (Last place, NL East)
Braves: 73-64 (1st place, NL East)
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Nationals - Braves preview and analysis
Recent form
Nationals: 2-8 in last 10
Braves: 4-6 in last 10
It’s just a matter of talent in this one between the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals.
The Nationals have been fighting hard since the trade deadline when they moved on from Max Scherzer and Trea Turner, but such effort has found the Nationals now in last place in the National League East having been passed by the Miami Marlins.
Entering Wednesday having lost nine of their last 11, the Nationals are trying to avoid the bottom of the division standings, but really to no avail. Instead, now they have to contend with the first-place Braves and try not to plummet any further.
The Braves enter Wednesday still atop the NL East, but not a day goes by where that can all change. The Philadelphia Phillies have clawed back to within 2.5 games of the division lead, the the New York Mets (winners of seven of their last 10) are only 4.5 games back with 22 to go. This race could very well go down to the final week.
Huascar Ynoa will take the mound for the Braves. The 23-year-old starting pitcher has reached the sixth inning in his past five starts but has not won a decision since May 9; he’s lost his last four starts in a row entering this one.
Opposite of him will be Erick Fedde, the former first-round pick who has somewhat found a groove as of late. The right-hander is 2-2 in his last four starts, but has a 5.77 ERA. Fedde threw a career-high 10 strikeouts on Aug. 24 against the Miami Marlins, but only lasted 3 IP and 4 ER against the Mets on Sept. 4.
Prediction
This will be decided with pitching, as both teams enter with relatively young guys who are being asked to provide an impact in certain ways. Ynoa has pitched well as of late, and if he can throw a gem of at least six innings of work, things will look bright for Atlanta. Fedde is just too much of a question mark. Braves win 7-3.
Betting trends
Fedde is 0-4 against Atlanta with an ERA of 11.02.
The Nationals are 17-43 in the second half of the season.
As a home favorite of -200 or more, the Braves are 7-2.
Projected lineup
Nationals:
Lane Thomas (R) CF
Alcides Escobar (R) SS
Juan Soto (L) RF
Josh Bell (S) 1B
Yadiel Hernandez (L) LF
Carter Kieboom (R) 3B
Keibert Ruiz (S) C
Luis Garcia (L) 2B
Erick Fedde (R) P
Braves:
Ozzie Albies (S) 2B
Jorge Soler (R) RF
Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
Austin Riley (R) 3B
Adam Duvall (R) CF
Travis d'Arnaud (R) C
Dansby Swanson (R) SS
Eddie Rosario (L) LF
Huascar Ynoa (R) P
Statistical leaders
Nationals:
Batting average: Juan Soto (.301)
Hits: Juan Soto (127)
Home runs: Juan Soto & Josh Bell (24)
RBI: Juan Soto (81)
Stolen bases: Victor Robles & Juan Soto (8)
Wins: Patrick Corbin (7)
Saves: Kyle Finnegan (7)
ERA: Patrick Corbin (6.14)
Braves:
Batting average: Austin Riley (.303)
Hits: Freddie Freeman (150)
Home runs: Austin Riley (29)
RBI: Ozzie Albies (93)
Stolen bases: Ozzie Albies (17)
Wins: Charlie Morton (13)
Saves: Will Smith (31)
ERA: Charlie Morton (3.47)
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
