The Nationals look to make it five straight with their heralded rookie on the mound against the division-leading Braves.
Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals
Atlanta enters this series with the second-biggest division lead in the majors, leading the Phillies by 4.5 games, while having a 15.5 game advantage on tonight’s opponent. The Braves have alternated wins and losses over the past six games and managed to lose just its second series since May 10th in dropping two of three games against the Florida Marlins over the past weekend. The club left 11 runners on base in a 5-4 defeat on Sunday. “You led the other team off the hook that many times, eventually they’re going to cash in and beat you,” said third baseman Chipper Jones. From an offensive standpoint, catcher Brian McCann has been doing his part since being named the All-Star Game MVP, hitting three home runs and driving in 14 runs in his last 10 games. Atlanta is 7-4 when playing with a day off this year (+280) and the total is an even 4-4 O/U in those contests.
Braves starting pitcher Tommy Hanson is 8-6 with a 4.12 ERA in 20 starts this season (+250), with the club dropping his last two outings. In those games, he has given up six runs (five earned) and 12 hits over 11.1 innings. The right-hander is 4-2 with a 3.83 ERA in nine road starts, surrendering just three home runs in 51.2 frames. He has compiled a solid 6-5 mark and 3.61 ERA in 15 nighttime outings compared to a 2-1 record and 6.00 ERA in five daytime starts. In four starts this month, Hanson is an even 1-1 with a 2.66 ERA, striking out 24 batters and walking just six in 23.2 innings. He looks to remain perfect against the Nationals, producing a 2-0 record and 2.94 ERA in his first five lifetime starts against them.
Washington also enjoyed a day off like tonight’s opponent on Monday, after dropping an 8-3 contest to the Brewers in Milwaukee on Sunday afternoon. The Nationals are the second-worst defensive team in the National League and it showed in a big way. “We did not have a good day defensively,” manager Jim Riggleman said. The team has produced an 8-12 record in July (-340), while facing winning ball clubs in 15 of those 20 contests. Washington will finish out the month against tonight’s opponent and Philadelphia, both teams sporting records above .500 currently. It’s important to note that opponents have scored the game’s first run in 20 of 23 contests dating back to June 28. The club is 5-8 this year after three or more consecutive losses (-290) and the total being 2-10 O/U in those games.
Nationals manager Stephen Strasburg is 5-2 with a 2.32 ERA in his first nine starts of his rookie campaign (+90), as he’s led the team to four straight victories. Over that span, the right-hander has allowed six runs and 18 hits over 22.2 innings, with the offense providing 26 runs of support. “He’s as advertised,” Braves manager Bobby Cox said. “He’s dynamite.” He is 2-1 with a 2.03 ERA in five home starts (-110), collecting 46 strikeouts and issuing just four walks in 31 frames. Strasburg has made one career start against the Braves, falling 5-0 in defeat at Turner Field on June 28. In that game, he allowed four runs (three earned) and six hits over 6.1 innings.
Bettors must be aware that the Braves 18-17 record against NL East opponents is their worst mark against any division this year (-240). The team is also 3-6 on the road when the total is 7 or less in 2010 and 8-11 in this spot the last three seasons. Washington stands at 6-3 when the total is 7 or less (+460) and is a solid 6-1 as a home favorite of -125 to -150 (+450).
