Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 3/30/2023

by Chuck Sommers

Wednesday, Mar 29, 2023
Time: 1:05 p.m. ET
Venue: Nationals Park, Washington, DC
Where to watch: MASN, Bally Sports Southeast, MLBN

Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks


DraftKings: Braves -245, Nationals +205
BetMGM: Braves -250, Nationals +205
Caesars: Braves -250, Nationals +205

Last season record
Braves: 101-61 (won NL East, lost NLDS to Phillies)
Nationals: 55-107 (last place, NL East)

Braves - Nationals preview and analysis


Last year was not the best finish for the Atlanta Braves in their quest to repeat as World Series champions. After rallying to win the NL East, they ran into the buzzsaw that was the Philadelphia Phillies. In short, the NL East might be the strongest division in baseball right now and no one will bat an eye.

Unfortunately, there needs to be a bad team in that division, and that's where the Washington Nationals fall under. The two will meet on Opening Day on Thursday to begin the 2023 MLB season.

The Braves had that rare moment in the NL where they won the World Series the previous year, then went on to win 100 games and make a claim for a repeat. But like I mentioned, they ran into the buzzsaw that was the Phillies and ran out of gas.

Atlanta is absolutely in the conversation of doing the same this year. They bring back the core that exploded offensively last year with Austin Riley coming off a career-high 38 home runs and 93 RBI, and Matt Olson after brining him over from Oakland with 34 homers and 103 RBI.

The Braves lost Dansby Swanson to the Cubs, but brought in Sean Murphy from the Athletics to add one more veteran bat for a star-studded lineup. It cost them William Conreras, who led the Braves with a .278 batting average in 97 games, but these are the moves required for a run at another championship.

But it's also Atlanta's pitching that shocked a lot of people last year. Max Fried is the ace, coming off a 14-7 record and 2.48 ERA. Right behind him is 26-year-old Kyle Wright, coming off perhaps the most unheralded 21-win season in baseball season. If not for that 3.19 ERA, he might have won the Cy Young. He might have even been a finalist instead of his teammate.

The Nationals are in for what might be an even worse season than this past one. Juan Soto is now gone for a full year. Josh Bell is gone. The best batter on the team, at the moment, might be Luis Garcia, the shortstop who hit .275 on the season.

Pitching isn't any better. Patrick Corbin is the ace after a 6-19 season and a 6.31 ERA. Josiah Gray may challenge for that spot, and Erick Fedde could improve as he turns 30, but the chances of that happening don't seem great.

Prediction

The Nationals' lineup is going to be a major question because we really don't know who's going to step up. The Braves are returning everyone and should be getting a healthy Ronald Acuna Jr. Watch out for the Braves again. Braves 6, Nationals 2

Projected lineup

Braves:

Ronald Acuna Jr. (R) RF
Matt Olson (L) 1B
Austin Riley (R) 3B
Marcell Ozuna (R) LF
Michael Harris II (L) CF
Ozzie Albies (S) 2B
Travis d'Arnaud (R) C
Eddie Rosario (L) DH
Orlando Arcia (R) SS
SP - Max Fried

Nationals:

Lane Thomas (R) RF
Joey Meneses (R) DH
Jeimer Candelario (S) 3B
Dominic Smith (L) 1B
Keibert Ruiz (S) C
Alex Call (R) LF
Luis Garcia (L) 2B
Victor Robles (R) CF
CJ Abrams (L) SS
SP - Josiah Gray

Statistical leaders

Braves:
Batting average: Michael Harris II -- .297
Home runs: Austin Riley -- 38
RBI: Matt Olson -- 103
Wins: Kyle Wright -- 21
ERA: Max Fried -- 2.48

Nationals:
Batting average: Luis Garcia -- .275
Home runs: Lane Thomas -- 17
RBI: Nelson Cruz -- 64
Wins: Josiah Gray -- 7
ERA: Josiah Gray -- 5.02

Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert MLB picks today. And if you enjoyed this preview, be sure to drop by every day for our daily MLB projections and predictions.

Chuck Sommers

About the Author:

Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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