Sunday, April 6, 1:35 PM on FSSO, MASN

Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia

Atlanta - Wood, A (1-0) vs. Washington - Strasburg, S (0-0)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The two teams predicted to finish at the top of the National League East this season will complete their first series of the year against each other on Sunday when the Atlanta Braves play the Washington Nationals. The Braves will send their young right hander Alex Wood to the mound against the ace of the staff for Washington, Stephen Strasburg.

Despite all the troubles during Spring Training for the Atlanta starting rotation, the Braves are off to a good start this season and will need to rely on Wood throughout the season if they plan on being successful. Wood won his first start earlier this week, allowing five hits and three walks with one earned run in 7 innings. This first start was needed by the 23-year-old to give him confidence in himself and the teams confidence in his ability to lead their rotation.

Strasburg pitched for the Nationals on Opening Day and will be looking to improve his performance that saw him allow four earned runs in six innings. While he will look to build on that performance, he did perform well in terms of strikeouts, as he retired 10 via that method. In his career against the current Braves, he has allowed 40 hits in 131 at bats, including an 11-for-27 mark for Dan Uggla (2 home runs, 8 RBIs), 9-for-20 by Jason Heyward (1 home run, 2 RBIs) and a .412 average for Freddie Freeman (7-for-17, 1 home run, 6 RBIs). 

Atlanta Betting Trends

Atlanta is 0-3-0 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Atlanta is +0.7

Washington Betting Trends

Washington is 2-1-0 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Washington is +4.0

Injuries to Watch

Atlanta 

03/29/14 P Brandon Beachy Elbow 60-day DL, out for season
03/29/14 P Cory Gearrin Elbow 60-day DL (3/26)
03/28/14 P Kris Medlen Elbow 60-day DL, out for season
03/28/14 P Mike Minor Shoulder 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Gavin Floyd Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Jonny Venters Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

Washington 

04/04/14 P Jordan Zimmermann Flu probable
04/02/14 C Wilson Ramos Hand 15-day DL (4/1), expected to miss 4-8 weeks
03/30/14 P Doug Fister Back 15-day DL (3/23)
03/29/14 P Ross Ohlendorf Back 60-day DL (3/26)
03/28/14 P Erik Davis Elbow 60-day DL (2/13)

Josh's Pick: Take Atlanta

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