Nationals Look To Take Advantage Of Braves Pitching Woes
The Atlanta Braves have been struggling with injuries particularly in their pitching staff. The team down played the impact that health was going to have on their team in the media, but it was on full display against the Washington Nationals.
Atlanta sits atop the NL East but for how much longer is uncertain as the team they have been pushing around for the last couple seasons is only 0.5 games behind. The Braves have beat the Nationals in 20 of their last 27 meetings. Now the Nats are looking to split a series with the Braves.
It has been a wild series with both games going into four extra innings. The Braves lost the first game with the Nats edging them out in the 13th, while the Nats lost in the 13th in the second game.
The series closer has the first place in the NL East on the line.
The Braves will be sending Julio Teheran to the mound. Â Teheran is the best pitcher on the Braves slim staff. He has only given up two runs or less in 12 of hi 15 starts. Two of those starts were against Washington. He has an ERA of 3.32 in his three career starts against Washington.
The Nationals hope that Doug Fister will be the pitcher to help put them over the Braves and take the lead in the East. Fister’s last start was an ugly. He gave up four earned runs in six innings. Â However, before that game he had only surrendered two runs in six consecutive starts.
The Nationals will need Fister to return to form so they can reclaim the NL East. Now is the opportune time for Washington to take over, as the Braves struggle staying healthy.
First pitch is at 7:15 p.m. ET tonight. The Nationals are the favorites to win with a -116 moneyline. To bet on the Braves the moneyline is set at +108.
