PREMIUM
Rogers' ROUND TRIPPER >> 28-10 L38 MLB! 14-4 L18!
(MLB) Washington vs. Atlanta,
Money Line: -162.00 Washington (Away)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -162.00 Washington (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Nationals and Braves meet in Atlanta this weekend for a three-game series between the first and second place teams in the NL East. While that is the case, it's more than just a footnote that the 25-15 Nats own an eight-game lead over the 16-22 Braves. Washington comes in with losses in five of their last six road contests but the Nats' first visit to the Braves' new ballpark (April 18-20) resulted in a three-game sweep at SunTrust Park for Washington. The first-place Nationals have lost six of their last 10 overall, while the Braves had won three in a row and five of six before getting 'beat up' 9-0 in the finale of a heated interleague series with Toronto on Thursday.
The pitching matchup: Lefty Gio Gonzalez (3-1 & 2.47 ERA) gets the nod for the Nats up against the Braves' knuckleballer, R.A. Dickey (3-3 & 4.22 ERA). Gonzalez is off a solid start last Sunday but saw his winless streak extend to three outings despite allowing just one run on four hits in 6 2/3 innings of a no-decision versus Philadelphia. Gonzalez has allowed six HRs in his last four starts and has struggled with his control, issuing 23 walks in his last six. He struggled "big time" against Atlanta last season (7.11 ERA in four starts) and is 4-9 with a 5.06 ERA in 17 career starts against them (teams are 6-11). Dickey's mark against the Nationals isn't too much better, as he permitted three runs in seven innings to take the loss on April 20 and fell to 4-8 with a 3.82 ERA in his career versus Washington over 15 starts (teams are 5-10). Dickey won his next two starts after that home loss to the Nats but lost his last time out, despite allowing just three runs on five hits in seven innings at Miami last Sunday. His problem lately has been keeping the ball in th park, as he's given up nine HRs in his last six starts.
The park: Neither starter owns a good LT mark against their respective opponent in this one but the Nats have won 18 of their last 22 meetings with the Braves and are 39-13 against the Atlanta since the middle of the 2014 season. Throw in the fact that Atlanta's best hitter, Freddie Freeman (.341 BA, while leading the National League with 14 HRs), will be sidelined 10 weeks with a non-displaced left wrist fracture, and what's not to like about Washington in this game? Make the Nats an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: Lefty Gio Gonzalez (3-1 & 2.47 ERA) gets the nod for the Nats up against the Braves' knuckleballer, R.A. Dickey (3-3 & 4.22 ERA). Gonzalez is off a solid start last Sunday but saw his winless streak extend to three outings despite allowing just one run on four hits in 6 2/3 innings of a no-decision versus Philadelphia. Gonzalez has allowed six HRs in his last four starts and has struggled with his control, issuing 23 walks in his last six. He struggled "big time" against Atlanta last season (7.11 ERA in four starts) and is 4-9 with a 5.06 ERA in 17 career starts against them (teams are 6-11). Dickey's mark against the Nationals isn't too much better, as he permitted three runs in seven innings to take the loss on April 20 and fell to 4-8 with a 3.82 ERA in his career versus Washington over 15 starts (teams are 5-10). Dickey won his next two starts after that home loss to the Nats but lost his last time out, despite allowing just three runs on five hits in seven innings at Miami last Sunday. His problem lately has been keeping the ball in th park, as he's given up nine HRs in his last six starts.
The park: Neither starter owns a good LT mark against their respective opponent in this one but the Nats have won 18 of their last 22 meetings with the Braves and are 39-13 against the Atlanta since the middle of the 2014 season. Throw in the fact that Atlanta's best hitter, Freddie Freeman (.341 BA, while leading the National League with 14 HRs), will be sidelined 10 weeks with a non-displaced left wrist fracture, and what's not to like about Washington in this game? Make the Nats an 8* play.
