First pitch is scheduled for 7:20 from Truist Park. Taking the mound for the Nationals will be Josiah Gray (0-0 4.85) against Charlie Morton (10-4 3.69) from the Braves.
The Nationals Rebuild
It is no secret the Nationals are in a full-blown rebuild. They traded away their best pitcher as well as arguably their best player. In return, they got some really nice potential future stars. One of them will be on the mound this evening in Josiah Gray. They also were able to keep the face of their team in Juan Soto and will look to build around him.
Soto has continued to put up great numbers, even while his team has struggled as a whole. He is hitting .298 with .500 slugging. He has hit 32 extra-base hits, with 18 of them being home runs. His only real help in the lineup so far has been a reemerging Starlin Castro. Castro is hitting .283 and has also contributed 21 extra-base hits. If either of these guys has a slow game, it will make it tough for the Nationals to find success.
When Gray takes the mound tonight, it will be his second start in Washington after coming over from the Los Angeles Dodgers. In his first outing against the Phillies, he went five solid innings, giving up only four hits and allowing just one earned run. He did only record two strikeouts to match the two walks, but those numbers will get better the more comfortable he gets in the rotation.
Braves Make a Playoff Push
The Braves look like they are finally coming to form after the loss of their superstar. It took a while for them to get going after Acuna, Jr. went down, but it seems like they have figured things out. This team has a nice mix of veteran leadership who have been there, as well as some young players who are playing solid baseball for them. A single game out in the NL East from the Philadelphia Phillies, the Braves look to make a run to claim that spot.
The team’s clubhouse leader and veteran, Freddie Freeman, is having another great season for the Braves. Hitting .295 and slugging .505, the Braves are getting everything they could ask for out of their leader. Austin Riley, in his third year with the Braves, is finally having the season the team imagined when drafting him in 2015. Hitting .294, he has also added 41 extra-base hits, with 23 of them coming by way of the long ball.
On the bump tonight will be Charlie Morton. In his first full year with the Braves, he has been dominant. With a 10-4 record, he is accompanying that record with a 3.34 era. He has eclipsed 140 strikeouts on the season and only walked 42 batters. If Morton can continue his dominance, he stands a chance to allow the Braves to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Betting Analysis
- Washington Nationals Moneyline +209
- Atlanta Braves Moneyline -232
- Total Runs: 8½ Over -124, Under +104
In the 11 games they have played against each other previously, the two teams have only combined to score more than eight runs four times. With this pitching matchup, expect a lower run output this evening.
Free Pick: Under 8½ Runs +104