The Atlanta Braves are sitting on top of the National League East division heading into the last few weeks before the All-Star break. The Washington Nationals started the season slow, but have seemingly turned the corner of late. Will the Nats sustain their momentum? Beating Atlanta in the series will be a nice lift for Washington, but the Braves are still looking like the team to beat in the division. See the latest MLB future odds here.
Starters: Dallas Keuchel (Career: 76-63, 3.66 ERA ERA) vs. Anibal Sanchez (3-6, 3.84 ERA)
Pitching:
At last, Keuchel is going to make his first start of the season, as he is set to make his debut for the Braves on Friday. Keuchel started in 34 games for the Astros last year and collected a 12-11 record to go with a 3.74 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. Sanchez has been in the zone of late, having limited opponents to two runs or fewer in each of his past five starts — all of which resulting in Washington victories.
Hitting
Josh Donaldson is 7-for-26 in career vs. Sanchez.
Howie Kendrick is 8-for-21 in career vs. Keuchel.
Prediction: Nationals win, 4-2.
GAME 2
Starters: Mike Foltynewicz (2-5, 5.53 ERA) vs. TBA
Pitching:
Foltynewicz struggled a bit with control in his last start, as he issued five free passes, though he allowed just an earned run on four hits in 6.0 innings of a 15-1 home win over the Phillies on Jun. 16. Foltynewicz is 1-2 with a 4.00 ERA in three road starts this season. The Nats are eight in the majors in starters ERA with a 3.86 clip, but have a higher FIP with 4.13.
Hitting
Ronald Acuna is batting .359 so far this month, as of this writing.
Anthony Rendon is 7-for-25 in career vs. Foltynewicz.
Prediction: Braves win, 5-4.
GAME 3
Starters: Mike Soroka (8-1, 2.12) ERA) vs. Patrick Corbin (5-5, 4.11 ERA)
Pitching:
Soroka has been unbeaten so far this month. In his last start, he allowed three earned runs on six hits in six innings of a 12-3 win at home over the New York Mets. He’s getting plenty of support from the Braves’ offense, which has helped Soroka get to a 3-0 record this month despite a 4.21 ERA. Corbin needs to find his footing, as he’s gone 0-2 in his first two starts this June, allowing 10 earned runs on 11 hits across 10.0 innings over that stretch. However, he is 3-1 with a 2.32 ERA in six home starts this season.
Hitting
Anthony Rendon is batting .358 with 10 homers at home this season as of this writing.
Josh Donaldson is 4-for-5 in career vs. Corbin.
Prediction: Braves win, 5-4.
Writer’s Overall Series Prediction
Braves take two of three games in their first series of the official summer season.
