Nationals vs. Braves prediction and odds for Thu. 7/14: Will Atlanta spoil Anibal Sanchez’s debut?

We’re heading back to the first five-team total market which has been overall done us wonders. Here is my pick, prediction, and odds for the Washington Nationals vs Atlanta Braves game.

Nationals vs. Braves Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: July 14, 2022
• Game Time: 7:05 pm ET
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV

Click Here for Nationals vs. Braves Odds

Washington Nationals vs Atlanta Braves Pick

1u - Atlanta Braves o2.5 Team Total First 5 Innings (-130) (Bet $130 to win $100)

*Odds available at DraftKings at time of publishing*

Anibal Sanchez is making his season debut, I hate to pick on him during such a meaningful game to him but the data backs it up. The last time we saw Anibal Sanchez pitch was in late September of 2020. We can’t imagine that Sanchez has improved in the meantime now at the age of 38. In that 2020 season that Sanchez last pitched he allowed 3+ earned runs in 9/11 games. He is trending downward in his career and now has the chance to show it.

Washington Nationals vs Atlanta Braves Prediction

It’s no secret that I like to target the Braves against lefties but that doesn’t mean that they’re incapable against righties. Atlanta hits righties at a .247 clip and have 290 RBIs in 2226 at-bats against righties. The Braves are due an offensive explosion and you know me and my “law of averages” stance I normally have. The Braves played against Sanchez in his last season he pitched and scored exactly three runs in five innings, right on par with our bet.

My pivot for these are normally the pitcher earned runs allowed prop but at the time of writing it isn’t currently posted, I would play for 2.5 but if it goes to 3.5 I wouldn’t touch. Braves are due, Sanchez should be rusty and the year is 2022 not 2018 so we should be fine. Sanchez has allowed this prop in four of his last five games against Atlanta and this team is more dangerous than previous ones he has faced. I’ll keep this one short but this is a great look today as I expect fading Sanchez to be a popular trend today.

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