Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 4/11/2022

Time: 7:20 p.m. ET

Venue: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA

Where to watch: MASN 2, Bally Sports Southeast

DraftKings: Check back later

BetMGM: Check back later

Caesars: Check back later

Nationals: 1-3

Braves: 2-2

A rather interesting weekend for the defending World Series champions. Some serious shenanigans happened with the Atlanta Braves splitting the opening four-game series with the Cincinnati Reds that was capped off with a 6-3 loss on Sunday afternoon.

Thanks primarily to a five-run third from Cincinnati, the Braves only came away with the split against the champs. And now the Braves will continue their season-opening seven-game homestand with a three-game set on Monday against the Washington Nationals.

I would call this past weekend the first step of trying to adapt to life without Freddie Freeman. I think that's a fair expectation for the Braves. When they're trying to move on from their captain, the one that stayed and won a world championship with them, it can have this impact that you can deal with for perhaps an hour and then move on.

So don't be shocked if the Braves are trugging along .500 for the better part of April. This is a major adjustment, but don't get it twisted, there is still some talent to be had with this group and we're starting to see it as the days go by. Led by Matt Olson, the one who replaced Freeman, he's off to a hot start by batting over .570.

"That's where I feel like I am at, trying to get back to feeling comfortable in a big league game again," Braves starter Ian Anderson said after making his first start since winning Game 3 of the World Series. "As the season goes on, I'll be fine and settle in, but for now I'm trying to get my feet back under me."

Atlanta is not the cream of the crop in the NL East anymore, but the Braves are still going to be a force with the talent they have. Even if Ronald Acuna Jr. continues to take his time in rehabbing his ACL tear, the Braves are going to be in a better position for it.

As for the Nationals, an expected off start for Washington as we brave for the Juan Soto era. The Nats are coming off losing three of four over the weekend to the New York Mets, but capped it off with a 4-2 win on Sunday in Nationals Park. 

Washington scored three runs in the eighth, highlighted by Nelson Cruz driving in two in the bottom of the eighth to cap off his 3-RBI day; the veteran slugger hit his 450th big-league homer in the first to get Washington on the board.

“That’s a lot of homers,” Washington manager Dave Martinez said about Cruz.. “I told him he could have 50 of mine to get to 500, if he wanted. But that’s incredible, it really is. It’s a testament to how good a hitter he really is, what he can do.”

Even at 41 years old, the right-handed power threat can still get the job done. His average may not be what it once was, but if there's ever a time the Nats need a big fly to tie or win the game, they know No. 23 is going to give them the best chance to deliver.

While it was good for the Nationals to get on the board and win the game the way they did, we have to remember that it's going to be just another struggling season. Atlanta, meanwhile, needs some more games to get the wins up there before hitting on the road. Atlanta takes the opener. Braves win 6-2

Nationals are 36-61 (-27 net games on ML) when the line is between +125 and -125 over the past three seasons.

Nationals are 43-68 (-12.8 net games on ML) the past three years on the road.

Braves are 72-51 (-0.6 net games on ML) at home the past three seasons.

Nationals:
Cesar Hernandez (S) 2B
Juan Soto (L) RF
Nelson Cruz (R) DH
Josh Bell (S) 1B
Keibert Ruiz (S) C
Yadiel Hernandez (L) LF
Maikel Franco (R) 3B
Lucius Fox (S) SS
Victor Robles (R) CF

Braves:
Eddie Rosario (L) RF
Matt Olson (L) 1B
Austin Riley (R) 3B
Marcell Ozuna (R) LF
Ozzie Albies (S) 2B
Adam Duvall (R) CF
Alex Dickerson (L) DH
Travis d'Arnaud (R) C
Dansby Swanson (R) SS

WSH: TBD
ATL: Huascar Ynoa

Batting average: Josh Bell -- .308

Hits: Josh Bell -- 4

Home runs: Three tied -- 1

RBI: Nelson Cruz -- 3

Wins: N/A

Saves: Tanner Rainey -- 1

ERA: Erick Fedde -- 3.60

Batting average: Matt Olson -- .571

Hits: Matt Olson -- 8

Home runs: Three tied -- 1

RBI: Travis d'Arnaud -- 4

Wins: Two tied -- 1

Saves: Will Smith -- 1

ERA: Kyle Wright -- 0.00