Braves vs Nationals Odds, Picks, and Probable Pitchers (August 15)

• The Atlanta Braves are road favorites over the Washington Nationals on Sunday afternoon
• The Braves send Drew Smyly (9-7, 4.41) to the mound to face Paolo Espino (3-3, 3.74)
• The odds and pitching matchups can be found below with a prediction

The Atlanta Braves try to stay hot — and atop the National League East standings — against the Washington Nationals at 1:10 pm ET Sunday on getaway day of a three-game series at Nationals Park.

Atlanta beat Washington 4-2 Friday in a game that did not finish until 1:19 a.m. Saturday. Brian Snitker’s club slugged four solo home runs to claim its eighth victory in the last ten games. Then, the Braves topped that effort with a 12-2 blowout victory Saturday. With Atlanta going for the sweep and Drew Smyly getting the start Sunday, the Braves are favorites once again.

The Nats have been struggling mightily of late, dropping six straight coming into  Sunday’s action. Washington has lost four straight series (including this one) – and is danger of being swept in three of them. Washington has lost 12 of their last 13 games entering Sunday’s tilt.

Braves vs Nationals Odds

Odds as of August 14h at DraftKings.

The Braves opened as -160 favorites on the money line and have seen their odds lengthen heading into first pitch in the nation’s capital.

Probable Pitchers

On the mound, Atlanta’s Drew Smyly (8-3, 4.41) faces Paolo Espino (3-3, 3.74).

Only six of Smyly’s 20 starts this season have been of the quality variety. But two of those efforts have come against Washington — none of which have occurred in the last three months.  In fact, the lefty has only had two quality starts since the start of June.  But his previous start — against the Reds — was one of those outings. He went six innings August 10th, allowing two hits, two earned runs, and two walks, while striking out seven.

Smyly vs Espino

Snitker is hoping to get the Smyly of mid-season — when the veteran won five straight decisions between June 13th and July 7th. The Braves skipper will also take the Smyly of the last three weeks. The southpaw has failed to get past the fourth inning in three of his last four starts — but Atlanta has won each of those outings.

Smyly is 5-2 with a 4.37 ERA in 12 road starts this season. In six day game starts, he has a 3-0 record and 3.69 ERA. Then, there’s this nugget coming off his last start.

#Braves are a season-high three games over .500 (58-55) and one game behind NL East leader Philadelphia. They've won six of seven. Oh, and they have also won in 10 of Drew Smyly's past 11 starts.

— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) August 11, 2021

As for Espinosa, the 34-year-old Panamanian has not recorded any quality starts this season, but has gone into the fifth inning in four of his last five outings. He’s gone 1-1 with a 4.69 ERA in that stretch, while the Nats have a 2-3 record in those five games.

Meanwhile, Espino is 3-3 with a 3.18 ERA in seven starts at home in 2021. He’s 1-1 with a 3.66 ERA in four day game starts.

Ace up our sleeve.

(Paolo Espino has a 2.87 ERA as a SP this season.)#NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/10PFrLX7OJ

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 31, 2021

Chop Shop North

As noted above, the Braves went yard four times at Nationals Park — including Ozzie Albies belting his 21st homer of the season, Then, the Atlanta second baseman went deep again Saturday, giving him five dingers and ten RBI in his last six games. To say he’s red-hot would be an understatement.

https://twitter.com/MajorLeagueGIFs/status/1426687504388956167

Dansby Swanson one-upped his keystone partner Saturday, also going 3-for-5 at the plate — but going deep twice (that’s three home runs in has last two games), with six RBI. Espino has surrendered 10 big flies in 67.1 innings pitched in 2021, so he’s particularly susceptible to the long ball — but with Atlanta swinging the bat collectively like they have of late, Washington manager Dave Martinez needs to be on alert.

Batting Average vs Starting Pitchers

Of course, with limited ABs against Espino, it will be like facing a rookie for Atlanta’s experienced lineup. But with numerous hitters, headlined by Albies and Swanson, the professional group should find their groove.

When you’ve lost 12 of 13 games, it’s hard to find bright spots. But Victor Robles went 2-for-4 from the dish Saturday and scored both of Washington’s runs.

Juan Soto is always dangerous. His lone hit against Smyly lifetime — going 1-for-8 — was a two-run home run.

Braves vs Nationals Pick

Atlanta is rolling right now. It might be tempting to fade the hot team and go with the underdog to salvage the series in this spot. But I’m riding Smyly’s arm and going with that smoking Braves lineup.

I also love the intangible of the Braves trying to stay atop the jam-packed NL East standings.

The Pick: Braves -165