Braves vs. Nationals (June 14): Atlanta aims for a baker’s dozen against MLB debutant

After suffering both a win and a loss last night, the Atlanta Braves will look to continue their fantastic June in the second game of their three-game road series against the Washington Nationals.

In last night’s series opener at Nationals Park, the Braves collected their 12th straight win, with a five-homer night propelling them to a 9-5 win. But in the fifth inning, Atlanta suffered a major loss, as two-time All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies suffered a fractured left foot while batting.

The Braves certainly have a potent lineup that has been a key part of their recent surge, but it will certainly be a major test for the reigning World Series champions to have to navigate without one of their key players for a period of time.

However, that is not an unfamiliar position for this team, and they will look to forge ahead tonight against an MLB debutant in Jackson Tetreault.

Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals
• Venue & Location: Nationals Park (Washington, D.C.)
• Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2022
• Time: 7:05 p.m. Eastern Time
• TV: Bally Sports South (Braves), Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (Nationals), MLB Extra Innings/MLB.TV (subscription packages)

Braves vs. Nationals Pitching Matchup

• Atlanta Braves: Max Fried (2022: 12 starts, 6-2, 2.64 ERA)
• Washington Nationals: Jackson Tetreault (MLB debut)

Braves vs. Nationals Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other top reviewed and recommended sportsbooks may also be included in this article.

Moneyline

• Atlanta Braves -245
• Washington Nationals +200

Over/Under

• OVER 8.5 (-120)
• UNDER 8.5 (-102)

Run Line

• Atlanta Braves -1.5 (-152)
• Washington Nationals +1.5 (+126)

Will Pitching Lead the Way Tonight for the Braves?

Last night’s pyrotechnics performance was the third in a row for Atlanta, following a three-homer game on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and a four-homer day on Sunday as they wrapped up a four-game sweep of the Pirates.

In 12 games this month, the Braves have a team batting average of .282, and they have tallied 83 runs and 58 extra-base hits out of 122 hits (27 doubles, four triples, 27 homers).

With the likes of Dansby Swanson (.380, two homers, 12 RBI), Ronald Acuna Jr. (.349, four homers, six RBI, 11 runs scored), and rookie outfielder Michael Harris II (.333, five doubles, six RBI) and more producing throughout the lineup, don’t expect a drop in confidence from Atlanta.

After all, they not only survived the loss of Ronald Acuna Jr., but they overcame that and being under .500 two-thirds of the way through the season to win their fourth straight NL East title and the franchise’s first World Series title since 1995.

Continuing to get contributions from their entire lineup will be key, and so will pitching, which has been an equally integral part of their streak. During the streak, Atlanta has a 2.86 team ERA and has given up just 33 runs (31 earned). Opponents are hitting just .214 against the Braves in this stretch.

Fried had done his part to help the Braves stay afloat in April and May, and he has kept that going in June.

Last Ten Starts for Max Fried

• Record: 6-0
• ERA: 2.11
• IP: 64.0
• Earned Runs Allowed: 15
• Hits Allowed: 51
• Walks Allowed: 11
• Strikeouts: 60
• Quality Starts: 9

Since losing to the Reds and Nationals in his first two starts of the season, the 28-year-old southpaw has not lost, and the Braves are 8-2 in his ten starts since.

Things have gone especially swimmingly in his four most recent starts. Atlanta has won each of his last four starts, and in that stretch, Fried is 3-0 with a 1.39 ERA and has allowed just four runs (all earned) in 26 innings pitched.

While Washington’s lineup will have to face an experienced arm in Fried, Atlanta’s lineup will be going up against 26-year-old righty Tetreault, who is making his MLB debut in this matchup. Stephen Strasburg, who made his 2022 debut just this past Thursday, was scheduled to start tonight but a neck issue has landed him on the injury list.

Tetreault’s AAA numbers aren’t outstanding, as he has gone 5-3 with a 4.19 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP in 12 starts. He isn’t one of Washington’s top pitching prospects either, but neither his numbers nor his standing as a prospect are an indicator of how he will fare against Atlanta.

Braves vs. Nationals Prediction and Best Bets

Braves vs. Nationals Prediction: Braves to win

Braves vs. Nationals Best Bets: Braves -1.5 (-134 at BetUS) & OVER 8.5 (-120 at BetOnline)

This season, Atlanta is 10-4 as a road favorite, while Washington is 6-17 as a home underdog, so it’s safe to say which outcome is the likeliest one here.

And with that being the direction being chosen here, the run line is the recommendation, as 34 of the Nationals’ 40 losses (85 percent) and 27 of the Braves’ 35 wins (77 percent) this season have come by 2+ runs.

Additionally, in Atlanta’s 21 division games this season, the over is 14-6-1. With how well the likes of Swanson, Acuna, and others are producing, the Braves should continue to swing the bat well tonight and help cash the over, even with one of the key pieces in their lineup sidelined.