Braves vs. Nationals Prediction, Computer Picks, Odds & Pitching Matchup 7/8/2022

A pair of division rivals take the field Friday when the second-place Atlanta Braves (49-35) host the fifth-place Washington Nationals (30-55). Bookmakers favor the Braves (-286) for the contest, which starts at 7:20 PM ET. Atlanta’s Charlie Morton gets the start, and he’ll go against Washington’s Erick Fedde.

Braves vs. Nationals Spread and Betting Line

Computer Predictions for Braves vs. Nationals

Our best bet is the Nationals on the moneyline at +231 after taking a look at all of the key trends and stats for this matchup. Our computer projects the total score will over the total of 9 runs.

Our computer pick: Washington Nationals (+231) and Over (9)

Braves vs. Nationals Game Info

• Atlanta Braves probable starting pitcher: Charlie Morton
• Washington Nationals probable starting pitcher: Erick Fedde
• Game Day: Friday, July 8, 2022
• Game Time: 7:20 PM ET
• Location: Atlanta, Georgia
• Stadium: Truist Park

Atlanta Braves vs Washington Nationals Pitching Matchup

Braves Starter Charlie Morton

• Morton (4-3 with a 4.34 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 87 innings pitched) makes the start for the Braves, his 17th of the season.
• The right-hander last pitched on Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds, when he went 7 2/3 scoreless innings while giving up one hit.
• The 38-year-old has put up an ERA of 4.34, with 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings, in 16 games this season. Opponents are batting .233 against him.
• Morton heads into the outing with four quality starts under his belt this season.
• Morton will try to pitch five or more innings for his eighth straight appearance. He’s averaging 5.1 frames per outing.
• The opposing Nationals offense has a collective .249 batting average, and is eighth in the league with 709 total hits and 26th in MLB action with 333 runs scored. It has the 27th-ranked slugging percentage (.374) and ranks 27th in home runs (64) in all of MLB.
• Among qualifying pitchers in MLB play this season, the 38-year-old’s 4.34 ERA ranks 50th, 1.230 WHIP ranks 39th, and 10.4 K/9 ranks sixth.

Nationals Starter Erick Fedde

• The Nationals’ Fedde (5-5) will make his 17th start of the season.
• The right-hander last pitched on Sunday, when he gave up two earned runs and allowed three hits in 6 2/3 innings against the Miami Marlins.
• The 29-year-old has pitched in 16 games this season with an ERA of 4.29 and 7.3 strikeouts per nine innings, with an opponent batting average of .249.
• In 16 starts this season, he’s earned four quality starts.
• Fedde will look to pitch five or more innings for the sixth start in a row.
• The Braves have scored 396 runs this season, which ranks fifth in MLB. They are batting .247 for the campaign with 127 home runs, second in the league.
• The Braves have gone 7-for-22 with a double and three RBI in 5 1/3 innings this season against the right-hander.

Braves Betting Picks & Insights

• The Braves have been favorites in 61 games this season and won 40 (65.6%) of those contests.
• Atlanta has played as a favorite of -286 or more twice this season and won both games.
• The Braves have a 74.1% chance to win this game based on the implied probability of the moneyline.
• Atlanta’s games have gone over the total in 40 of their 83 chances.
• The Braves are 42-41-0 ATS in their 83 games with a spread this season.

Nationals Betting Picks & Insights

• The Nationals have been victorious in 23, or 32.9%, of the 70 contests they have been chosen as underdogs in this season.
• Washington has played as an underdog of +231 or more just one time this year and came away with a loss in that game.
• The Nationals have an implied victory probability of 30.2% according to the moneyline set for this matchup.
• Contests with Washington have gone over the total set by sportsbooks in 42 of 85 chances this season.
• In 85 games with a line this season, the Nationals have a mark of 35-50-0 against the spread.

Braves Leaders & Batting Stats

• Austin Riley has a team-best 21 home runs and 51 runs batted in.
• Among all hitters in baseball, Riley’s home run total ranks him eighth, and his RBI tally ranks him 18th.
• Riley carries a three-game hitting streak into this matchup. During his last five outings he is batting .474 with three doubles, a home run, a walk and three RBI.
• Dansby Swanson is batting .295 to lead his team.
• Swanson is 36th in homers and 22nd in RBI among all major league hitters this season.
• Matt Olson is batting .255 with 32 doubles, 12 home runs and 45 walks.
• Marcell Ozuna has 11 doubles, 17 home runs and 22 walks while batting .229.
• Ozuna is riding a six-game hitting streak into this one. In his last 10 games he is batting .243 with two doubles, three home runs, three walks and three RBI.

Nationals Leaders & Batting Stats

• The Nationals are lead in runs batted in by Josh Bell with a mark of 47, he also leads the team in hitting, posting an average of .314.
• Bell is 54th in home runs and 26th in RBI among all hitters in the majors.
• Juan Soto’s 15 home runs pace his team.
• Soto ranks 29th in home runs and 96th in RBI among all hitters in the big leagues.
• Nelson Cruz is hitting .239 with 12 doubles, eight home runs and 33 walks.
• Cesar Hernandez is batting .248 with 18 doubles, two triples and 26 walks.