Braves vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Saturday, April 1, 2023

March 31, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

The Atlanta Braves (1-0) and Travis d’Arnaud (four hits last time out) are favored (-247) on the moneyline for their matchup with the Washington Nationals (0-1) on Saturday at 4:05 PM ET on MASN.

Atlanta’s Spencer Strider and Washington’s Josiah Gray have been named the starters for this contest.

Braves vs. Nationals Odds

Braves odds to win: -247
Nationals odds to win: +203
Spread: Braves -1.5
Total: 8.5 runs

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Game Time and Information

Date: Saturday, April 1, 2023
Time: 4:05 PM ET
TV: MASN

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Who Will Win Braves vs. Nationals?

Braves and Nationals Betting Trends (2022)

The Braves won 67.7% of the games last season they were favored on the moneyline (88-42).

When it played as a moneyline favorite with odds of -247 or shorter last year, Atlanta finished with a record of 20-4 (83.3%).

Last season, the Nationals were the underdog 141 times and won 47, or 33.3%, of those games.

Washington had a record of 14-23, a 37.8% win rate, when it was set as the underdog by +203 or more by oddsmakers last season.

The Braves combined with their opponents to go over the total 82 times last season for an 82-75-8 record against the over/under.

The Nationals and their opponents hit the over in 74 of their 159 games with a total last season.

Braves Stats & Insights (2022)

Last season the Braves scored the third-most runs in baseball (789 total, 4.9 per game).

Atlanta ranked second-best in the majors last season with 243 total home runs.

The Braves’ .253 batting average was seventh-best in MLB.

The team’s 9.2 strikeouts per game were the second-most in baseball.

The Braves pitching staff was second in MLB last season with a collective 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings.

Atlanta’s 3.45 team ERA ranked fifth across all MLB pitching staffs.

Nationals Stats & Insights (2022)

The Nationals scored the 26th-most runs in the league last season with just 603 (3.7 per game).

Washington ranked 28th in Major League Baseball with just 136 home runs as a team.

The Nationals ranked 11th in MLB with a .248 team batting average.

Washington showed patience at the plate last season, having the fourth-best rate of strikeouts per game (7.5) among MLB offenses.

The Nationals averaged the 23rd-most strikeouts per nine innings (7.8) in the big leagues last season.

Washington had the 29th-ranked ERA (5.01) in the majors last season.

Braves Key Players to Watch (2022)

Strider gets the call to start for the Braves, his first of the season.

Last season, Austin Riley hit .273 with 38 home runs and 93 RBI.

Matt Olson finished with 103 RBI while batting .240 and hitting 34 homers.

Sean Murphy finished last season with 18 home runs, 66 RBI and a batting average of .250.

Michael Harris II hit .297 with an OBP of .339, and a slugging percentage of .514.

Nationals Key Players to Watch (2022)

Gray has been named the starter for the Nationals and will make his first start this season.

Lane Thomas hit 17 home runs and had 52 runs batted in last season, while accumulating a batting average of .241.

Keibert Ruiz had 22 doubles, seven home runs and 30 walks while hitting .251.

Jeimer Candelario hit .217 last season with 19 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs and 29 walks.

Joey Meneses hit .324 with 14 doubles, 13 home runs and 17 walks.

Braves and Nationals Injuries

Braves: Kyle Wright: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Raisel Iglesias: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Kolby Allard: 60 Day IL (Oblique), Tyler Matzek: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Huascar Ynoa: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Max Fried: day-to-day (Hamstring)

Nationals: Carter Kieboom: 10 Day IL (Finger), Israel Pineda: 10 Day IL (Finger), Tanner Rainey: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Stephen Strasburg: 60 Day IL (Ribs/shoulder), Victor Arano: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Cade Cavalli: 60 Day IL (Elbow)