Friday, June 20, 2014, 6:05 PM on FSSO, MAS2

Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia

Atlanta Braves - Minor, M (2-4) vs. Washington Nationals - Strasburg, S (6-5)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Friday night, the Atlanta Braves will take the field behind Mike Minor as they square off against the Washington Nationals and Stephen Strasburg. It will be Minor’s 10th start and Strasburg’s 16th.

Mike Minor pitched to his 2nd straight no-decision his last time out and that held his record at 2 – 4 as his ERA rose to 4.42.  In that start, Minor gave up 3 runs on 11 hits (including 2 home runs) as he walked 1 and struck out 6. Minor has been up and down and it looks like matching last season’s 13 – 9 record and 3.21 ERA will be tough to do this year.

In 2013, Minor failed to get a decision in all 3 of his starts against the Nationals.  And if he is smart, he will stay away from Washington’s Jayson Werth.  Werth is batting .364 with a homer and 6 RBIs against the lefty. 

Stephen Strasburg took the loss in his last outing and that lowered his record to 6 – 5 with a 3.06 ERA.  In that start, Strasburg allowed 3 runs on 7 hits (including a home run) in 6.2 innings.  He walked a batter and struck out 5.  Prior to the loss, Strasburg had won 3 straight. And he should have no problem posting better numbers this season than he did in 2013 when he went 8 – 9 with a 3.00 ERA in 30 starts.

Last season, Strasburg was 0 - 1 with a 2.86 ERA in 5 starts against the Braves.  This season, Strasburg got his first loss of the year against Atlanta after allowing 6 runs on 8 hits in just 4.1 innings of work.    

Atlanta Braves Betting Trends

Atlanta Braves are 28-39-3 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Atlanta Braves is -0.1

Washington Nationals Betting Trends

Washington Nationals are 33-29-7 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Washington Nationals is 0.6

Injuries to Watch

Atlanta Braves

06/18/14 LF Justin Upton Dizziness questionable
06/17/14 P David Carpenter Bicep 15-day DL (6/17)
03/29/14 P Brandon Beachy Elbow 60-day DL (3/21), 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 (3/21), out for season
03/28/14 P Jonny Venters Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

Washington Nationals

06/11/14 C Wilson Ramos Hamstring 15-day DL (6/10)
05/18/14 P Gio Gonzalez Shoulder 15-day DL (5/17)
05/16/14 CF Eury Perez Toe 60-day DL (5/15)
04/27/14 LF Bryce Harper Thumb 15-day DL (4/26)
04/13/14 LF Jeff Kobernus Hand 60-day DL (4/12)
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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