The Atlanta Braves will take on the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. The game is set to start at 6:45 PM and will be played under the lights. Fans can expect an exciting night of baseball as these teams meet on the field.

Braves vs. Nationals Betting Prediction

• Money Line Prediction: Braves MoneyLine: -158. The Braves have a stronger pitcher in AJ Smith-Shawver, who has a solid ERA of 2.33. The Nationals’ Trevor Williams has struggled with a 5.91 ERA.
• Over/Under Prediction: Under 8.5 (-111). Both teams have similar slugging percentages, but the Braves’ pitching could limit scoring, especially with Smith-Shawver’s performance this season.

Team Trends

• The Atlanta Braves have an even record of 24-24 this season and are 6 games back in the NL East.
• The Washington Nationals have a record of 22-27 and are 8 games back in the NL East.
• The Braves have a strong home record of 15-7 but struggle on the road with a 9-17 record.
• The Nationals have a balanced home and road record, both slightly under .500 with 11-12 at home and 11-15 on the road.
• In their recent spring training game on May 20, 2025, the Nationals defeated the Braves 5-3.

Braves vs Nationals Preview

The Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals are set to meet at Nationals Park for a night game on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. The Braves will have AJ Smith-Shawver on the mound. He has been solid this season with a 3-2 record and a 2.33 ERA over 38 2/3 innings. Smith-Shawver has struck out 40 batters and walked 17 in his seven starts.

The Nationals will counter with Trevor Williams. Williams has started nine games this season, posting a 2-5 record with a 5.91 ERA over 45 2/3 innings. He has 38 strikeouts and 12 walks. Both teams will look to their pitchers to set the tone as they battle under the lights.

Washington Nationals: Top Performers and Key Stats

The Washington Nationals have some standout hitters this season. James Wood leads the team with a batting average of .285. He has hit 12 home runs and scored 30 runs, ranking first in the league in both categories. CJ Abrams is another key player for the Nationals. He has a batting average of .312 and has hit 8 home runs. Abrams also ranks second in the league with 24 runs scored. Nathaniel Lowe has contributed significantly to the team’s offense. He has hit 8 home runs and leads the team with 34 RBIs. Lowe’s batting average is .223, and he has played in 49 games this season.

Atlanta Braves: Key Players and Stats

Matt Olson is a leading hitter for the Atlanta Braves. He has played 48 games and holds a batting average of .240. Olson ranks first in the league with 10 home runs and has scored 27 runs. He also has 26 RBIs, placing him third in the league. Austin Riley is another strong performer for the Braves. His batting average is .283, and he has hit 8 home runs. Riley leads the league with 28 RBIs and has scored 23 runs, placing him third in the league. Marcell Ozuna contributes to the Braves’ offense as well. He has a batting average of .266 and has hit 8 home runs. Ozuna has scored 22 runs and has 22 RBIs, placing him fourth in the league for both categories.

Final Betting Pick

The Braves are favored on the money line due to AJ Smith-Shawver’s pitching. He has a 2.33 ERA and a strong strikeout rate, making him a reliable choice. The Nationals’ Trevor Williams has a 5.91 ERA, which suggests he might struggle against the Braves’ lineup.

Choosing the under 8.5 is reasonable because of the Braves’ pitching. Smith-Shawver’s ability to limit runs could keep the total score low. Both teams have similar slugging percentages, but the Braves’ pitching gives them an edge in controlling the game’s pace.

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change. **All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk. Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.