Saturday, September 5, 2015

Nationals Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Shelby Miller (5-12) vs. Joe Ross (5-5)

The Washington Nationals host the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park on Saturday. The probable starters are Shelby Miller for the Braves and Joe Ross for the Nationals. The opening line for this matchup has Atlanta at +185 and Washington at -200. The over/under was set at 7.5. The Braves have a 69-57 over/under record and a 65-69 run line mark, meaning they cover 49% of the time. The Nationals are 58-75 against the run line and have a 70-56 over/under record. They cover the spread 44% of the time.

The Braves head into this matchup with a 54-80 record, including 21-48 on the road. Shelby Miller has a 5-12 record on the season, an earned run average of 2.56 and a 1.18 WHIP. In his starts, the Braves are 10-17 over his 172 innings pitched this season while giving up 145 hits during those innings. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 8-18. The team is averaging 2.6 runs when he starts. The bullpen has an earned run average of 4.72 and they have given up 422 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .265 against the bullpen while being struck out 368 times and walking 173 times this season. As a team, Atlanta has allowed 9.4 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.35 batters per nine. They are 26th in the league in team earned run average at 4.54.

Atlanta is batting .250 as a team, which is good for 21st in the league and hitting .250 away from home. The Braves hold a .360 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .314 which is good for 17th in baseball. They rank 22nd in baseball with 8.41 hits per game and Nick Markakis leads the team with 152.

With a 38-26 home record, Washington will hope to improve on their 68-65 overall mark. Joe Ross has a record of 5-5 while sporting an earned run average of 3.50 on the year with a 1.07 WHIP. In his starts, the Nationals are 5-7 and he has allowed 57 hits over 69.1 innings pitched this season. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 4-7. The team is averaging 3.4 runs when he takes the field. The bullpen has an earned run average of 3.58 and they have given up 366 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .246 against the Nationals bullpen while being struck out 353 times and walking 114 times this season. As a team, Washington has allowed 8.92 hits per nine innings while striking out 8.23 batters per nine. They are 12th in the league in team earned run average at 3.76.

They are batting .252 as a team, which is good for 17th in the league and hitting .256 at home. The Nationals hold a .404 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .321 which is good for 11th in baseball. They rank 21st in baseball with 8.46 hits per game and Bryce Harper leads the team with 141.

Atlanta has a team fielding percentage of .986 after having committed 71 errors with 1,309 assists and 3,538 put outs for the season. For the home team, they hold a .984 team fielding percentage while committing 77 errors, accumulating 1,248 assists and compiling 3,515 put outs.

Atlanta Braves Betting Trends

The Atlanta Braves are 69-57 against the over/under so far this season

The Atlanta Braves are 65-69 against the run line so far this season

Washington Nationals Betting Trends

The Washington Nationals are 70-56 against the over/under so far this season

The Washington Nationals are 58-75 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Atlanta Braves

09/02/15 P Mike Foltynewicz Ribs Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/29)
08/05/15 P Jason Frasor Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/2)
07/11/15 P Jason Grilli Achilles Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (7/17); out for season
06/04/15 P Daniel Winkler Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/5)
06/02/15 P Paco Rodriguez Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/30)
04/07/15 P Josh Outman Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/6)
04/04/15 P Chris Withrow Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (2/21)
04/04/15 P Mike Minor Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27); out for season
04/04/15 P Shae Simmons Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (2/20), out for season

Washington Nationals

09/04/15 CF Michael Taylor Knee is not expected to be in the starting lineup Friday vs. Atlanta Braves
09/03/15 P Stephen Strasburg Back expected to start Wednesday vs. New York Mets
08/28/15 CF Denard Span Hip Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/27); out for season
08/10/15 P Aaron Barrett Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (8/9)
04/30/15 LF Reed Johnson Calf Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/29)
04/15/15 P Craig Stammen Forearm Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/14)
04/06/15 LF Nate McLouth Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27), out for season

Guy's Pick: Take the Nationals

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn