Braves vs Nationals Picks and Odds (April 6)
- The Nationals will finally kick off their season on Tuesday, April 6th, against the Braves after COVID-19 issues delayed baseball activities
- Atlanta is still looking for their first win after getting swept by the Philadelphia Phillies
- Get the odds, preview and pick, below
After the Washington Nationals’ opening series against the New York Mets was postponed due to virus issues in the team, the first game of a three-game set on Monday against Atlanta was also pushed back.
However, they’ve now been cleared to play as the Braves come to town on Tuesday, April 6th (first pitch 4:05 PM EST) at Nationals Park. Max Scherzer makes his sixth Opening Day start for the Nats in seven seasons, while southpaw Drew Smyly gets the ball for Atlanta.
Braves vs Nationals Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Runline at BetMGM | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Braves | +100 | -1.5 (+155) | Ov 8 (-109) |
| Washington Nationals | -120 | +1.5 (-188) | Un 8 (-109) |
Odds taken April 5.
The latest Braves vs Nationals odds are favoring DC at a -120 Moneyline.
Braves Very Familiar With Scherzer
DC’s ace is no stranger to taking the mound on Opening Day and you better believe Scherzer will be ready to roll. The 36-year-old is coming off one of his worst seasons in 2020 from a statistical standpoint, going 5-4 with a 3.74 ERA. It was a shortened campaign, but it was certainly not a banner year for Scherzer.
We signed Max Scherzer in 2015.
5 All-Star games, 2 Cy Youngs and 1 World Series ring later…
…he's been the best pitcher in @MLB.@chevrolet // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/wWJXQG3GtQ
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 1, 2021
The Braves are a familiar foe to the hard-throwing righty, with a total of 242 at-bats against him throughout the roster. They know exactly what Scherzer brings to the table, lighting him up for six runs in just one start last season.
In the three-time Cy Young winner’s career, he’s made 23 starts against Atlanta, compiling a 3.95 ERA and a 10-9 record.
Braves Stats vs Scherzer
| Player | AB | H | HR | RBI | K | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ronald Acuna Jr. | 17 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 6 | .294 |
| Ozzie Albies | 22 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 8 | .182 |
| Johan Camargo | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .286 |
| Travis d’Arnaud | 21 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 8 | .238 |
| Freddie Freeman | 41 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 10 | .220 |
| Ender Inciarte | 43 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 7 | .279 |
| Dansby Swanson | 33 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 12 | .182 |
| Marcell Ozuna | 38 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 12 | .263 |
The Braves bats need to wake up after hitting an atrocious .128 in their opening series against Philly, striking out 35 times in just three games. Franchise star Ronald Acuna Jr. also went just 2 for 12 at the plate, while Marcell Ozuna had one hit in 11 AB’s.
Happy #OpeningDay from 🐼!#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/TDt06VGLKv
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 1, 2021
Let’s not forget this is the same organization that was just one win away from the World Series last season, much in part to their electrifying offense. Although Atlanta scored only three runs in as many games to begin 2021, it’s only a matter of time until they start to find a rhythm.
Scherzer is one of the best in the game, but the Braves like to face him. It’s going to be interesting to see how Brian Snitker’s team responds after three straight losses.
Go With The Braves
Some of Washington’s key guys will be in the lineup, but it’s already been made common knowledge that others will be sidelined due to the virus.
Scherzer is a stud, but the Braves are going to get to him enough to grab a victory here, while Smyly will keep his ball club in the game and put together a fine debut start.
Pick: Atlanta Braves +100
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