Nats vs. Braves: Can Washington Upset Atlanta's Hot Streak?!
The Washington Nationals face the Atlanta Braves in a three-game series, marking the Nats' final road trip of the year. While the Braves are riding an impressive eight-game winning streak, the Nationals are looking to play spoiler and finish the season strong.
Nationals Aim to End Season on a High Note
Fresh off a thrilling 3-2 victory against the New York Mets, fueled by Jacob Young's incredible outfield performance, the Nationals head to Atlanta with momentum. Young's highlight-reel catch and subsequent robbery of a potential home run showcased his defensive prowess and provided a spark for the team. Mitchell Parker's scoreless 3 1/3 innings to earn his first career save added to the excitement.
Braves Look to Continue Dominance
The Atlanta Braves, despite their recent success, have little to play for in terms of playoff contention. However, they'll aim to maintain their winning ways and showcase their talent, led by Matt Olson's impressive offensive numbers (team-leading .867 OPS and 28 home runs) and Chris Sale's dominant pitching (2.35 ERA). Sale is coming off a stellar performance against the Nationals last week, where he allowed only three hits and struck out nine in eight shutout innings.
Key Matchup: MacKenzie Gore vs. Chris Sale
The pitching matchup features MacKenzie Gore (5-14, 4.00 ERA) for the Nationals against Chris Sale (5-5, 2.35 ERA) for the Braves. Sale's high strikeout rate (11.7 K/9) poses a significant challenge for the Nationals' lineup. Gore will need to be sharp to contain the Braves' potent offense.
- Nationals Record: 64-92
- Braves Record: 73-83
- Chris Sale Prop Bet: OVER 8.5 Strikeouts (-125)
While the Braves swept their previous series against the Nationals, winning each game by at least three runs, the Nationals will look to put up a fight and potentially steal a game or two in Atlanta.