by Rod Pearson
Friday, Jul 31, 2026
Game Time: 7:15 pm ET, Saturday, August 1, 2026
Venue: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
Where to Watch: MLB TV
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Nationals +158, Braves -193; Over/Under: 9.5 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Nationals +155, Braves -185; Over/Under: 9.5 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Nationals +155, Braves -190; Over/Under: 9.5 runs
Season Record
Washington Nationals: 55-55 (4th place, NL East)
Atlanta Braves: 64-45 (1st place, NL East)
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Recent Form
Washington Nationals: 5-5 last 10
Atlanta Braves: 6-4 last 10
Washington Nationals vs Atlanta Braves Preview and Analysis
The Nationals are entering this series off a loss and lost their 3-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 55-55 record overall and have a road record of 32-21. This is the 3rd game of a 4-game series with the Braves on Saturday with the 2nd game still to be played on Friday. The Nationals lost the series opener on Thursday. Their offense ranks 1st in the MLB with a .775 OPS. Foster Griffin is their starting pitcher on Friday while Miles Mikolas is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 3-7 with a 5.65 ERA this season. His team lost 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season appearance, he allowed 3 ER, 2 HR, and 1 BB with 1 SO on 4 hits through 4 IP against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Braves are entering this series off a win and lost their 3-game series against the New York Mets 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 64-45 record overall and have a home record of 33-20. This is the 3rd game of a 4-game series with the Nationals on Saturday with the 2nd game of this series still to be played on Friday. The Braves won the 1st game of this series on Thursday. Their offense ranks 9th in the MLB with a .728 OPS. Bryce Elder is one of their starting pitchers on Friday while Reynaldo López is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 4-3 with a 3.64 ERA this season. His team lost 3 of their last 4 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 0 earned runs, 0 homers, and 1 walk with 6 strikeouts on 5 hits through 5.2 innings pitched against the Baltimore Orioles.
Nationals vs Braves Prediction
The current betting odds have the Braves listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Nationals have looked good in their games this season with their 55-55 record overall which has them right in the middle of the NL East. They have been a great road team too with their 32-21 road record this year. Meanwhile, the Braves have looked great in their games this season with their 64-45 record overall which has them right at the top of the NL East with one of the best records in MLB. They have looked great in their own ballpark too with their 33-20 home record this season. The Nationals have looked a lot better on the road this season and have one of the best offenses in MLB too, but they also have a terrible bullpen that gives up a lot of runs and they haven't looked that great lately either, now 5-5 in their last 10 games. The Braves are 6-4 in their last 10 games and have been getting hot lately, also with a really good offense that can match the Nationals here. The Nationals are going with Mikolas in this one and he hasn't looked good this season. He is 3-7 with a 5.65 ERA and he has been giving up a lot of runs all year. He gave up 3 earned runs in his last appearance which has been a common theme for him and the team has lost 2 of their last 3 games with him starting too. Lopez is on the mound for the Braves in this one and he has looked good this season. He is 4-3 with a 3.64 ERA and has been in and out of the bullpen this season, but he has looked great back in the starting role lately. His team has lost 3 of their last 4 games with him pitching in it, but he is coming off a great start in which he gave up no runs. The Braves also have the stronger bullpen to lean on here, so look for them to take advantage of this pitching matchup. The best way to place a bet here is on the Braves to win this game.
Nationals Braves Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Saturday, August 1, 2026 (7:15 pm ET start time) is Braves 8 Nationals 5.
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MLB Betting Trends
Washington Nationals: 192-243 (+6.3 units) on the moneyline in all games. 98-116 (+27.6 units) on the moneyline in road games. 47-60 (+13.9 units) on the moneyline when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%). 44-26 OVER against right-handed starters.
Atlanta Braves: 229-206 (-43.6 units) on the moneyline in all games. 118-97 (-25.6 units) on the moneyline in home games. 176-134 (-32.1 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -110 or higher. 7-2 OVER as a favorite of -175 to -250.
Key Injuries
Washington Nationals: C. Early (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Elbow. P. Poulin (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Flexor. D. Millas (C) Ten Day IL - Finger. B. Lord (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Side. M. Parker (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. R. Lovelady (RP) Sixty Day IL - Triceps. K. Waldichuk (SP) Sixty Day IL - Forearm. J. Gray (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. D. Herz (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow.
Atlanta Braves: H. Kim (SS) Ten Day IL - Finger. R. Suarez (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Elbow. S. Strider (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. S. Murphy (C) Sixty Day IL - Finger. J. Wentz (RP) Sixty Day IL - Knee. J. Jimenez (RP) Sixty Day IL - Knee. S. Schwellenbach (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow.
Notable Quotes
“It was pretty amazing how quickly he got through those first few innings and on such a low pitch count.” - Blake Butera on Jake Irvin after his team’s loss against the Braves in their game on Thursday.
“It’s good to have Ronald back to see him hit balls into the right-center bullpen. That’s always a good sign. It’s another great win for our guys.” - Walt Weiss after his team’s win against the Nationals in their game on Thursday.
Starting Lineups
Washington Nationals
James Wood (L) RF
Luis García Jr. (L) 1B
Dylan Crews (R) CF
CJ Abrams (L) SS
Daylen Lile (L) LF
Keibert Ruiz (S) C
José Tena (L) DH
Jorbit Vivas (L) 3B
Nasim Nuñez (S) 2B
Atlanta Braves
Drake Baldwin (L) C
Ronald Acuña Jr. (R) RF
Matt Olson (L) 1B
Michael Harris II (L) CF
Ozzie Albies (S) 2B
Mauricio Dubón (R) 3B
Dominic Smith (L) DH
Mike Yastrzemski (L) LF
Jim Jarvis (L) SS
Statistical Leaders
Washington Nationals
Batting Average: Abimelec Ortiz (.500)
Hits: CJ Abrams (115)
Home Runs: James Wood (30)
RBI: CJ Abrams (82)
Stolen Bases: Nasim Nuñez (39)
Wins: Foster Griffin (12)
Saves: Clayton Beeter (11)
ERA: Trevor Williams (0.00)
Atlanta Braves
Batting Average: Jair Camargo (.500)
Hits: Michael Harris (114)
Home Runs: Matt Olson (28)
RBI: Matt Olson (66)
Stolen Bases: Ronald Acuña (15)
Wins: Chris Sale (12)
Saves: Raisel Iglesias (23)
ERA: Hunter Stratton (0.00)
Managers:
Washington Nationals: Blake Butera (1st season)
Atlanta Braves: Walt Weiss (1st season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
