Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals Prediction and Picks - September 16, 2025
Use Code WWWC Tuesday afternoon on the MLB diamond, and we have an Atlanta Braves vs Washington Nationals prediction ready to rock and roll. The Braves enter this game at 67-83 on the year, while the Nationals are 62-88. Atlanta won game one of this series by a score of 11-3 and now leads the season series 4-3. Read on to see our Atlanta Braves vs Washington Nationals prediction.
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The Offense Explodes In Game One
Atlanta comes into Game 1 riding the high of Monday’s 11–3 blowout win, where they racked up 16 hits and launched three home runs. Matt Olson led the charge with a 4-for-5 night, including two doubles, a homer, and four RBIs. Ronald Acuña Jr. added his 17th long ball of the season, and Drake Baldwin crushed a three-run shot in the ninth. The Braves have now won back-to-back games and are averaging 6.2 runs over their last five. With playoff pressure off, they’re swinging freely and punishing mistakes—especially early in games.
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Offensively, Atlanta is trending upward. Olson leads the team with 87 RBIs and 26 home runs, while Acuña Jr. has pushed his OBP to .393 and ranks top 20 in stolen bases. Ozzie Albies and Ha-Seong Kim continue to set the table, and Baldwin has emerged as a clutch bat in the bottom half of the order. The Braves rank 17th in runs scored (646), 16th in home runs (167), and 15th in OBP (.316). They’ve hit the over in four of their last five and are 6-for-14 with runners in scoring position over their last two games.
Spencer Schwellenbach is expected to start Game 1, stepping in with a 4.91 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP across 11 appearances. He’s allowed 10 home runs in 47.2 innings and has struggled with command at times, walking 21 batters while striking out 44. Schwellenbach has shown flashes of upside—especially with his slider—but will need to keep the ball down against a Nationals lineup that’s more dangerous at home. If he can get through the first two innings clean, Atlanta’s offense should give him room to work.
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Nats Continue To Struggle
Washington dropped Monday’s opener 11–3, giving up three homers and 16 total hits. Mitchell Parker took the loss, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits over five innings, and the bullpen surrendered five more runs in the final three frames. Daylen Lile provided the lone spark with a solo homer in the second, and CJ Abrams added an RBI single in the eighth. The Nationals have now lost three of their last four and are 2–3 against the spread in that span. They’ve hit the over in four of their last six, but pitching depth remains a major concern heading into a doubleheader.
Offensively, Washington has shown flashes but lacks consistency. Abrams leads the team with 54 RBIs and a .263 average, while Lile has six homers and a .292 clip. Riley Adams and Robert Hassell III have contributed in spots, but the lineup ranks 21st in runs scored (637), 23rd in slugging (.389), and 29th in home runs (142). They’ve struck out 1,210 times this season and average just 4.28 runs per game. Facing a young arm like Schwellenbach, they’ll need to capitalize early before Atlanta’s bullpen settles in.
Jake Irvin (8–12, 5.70 ERA) gets the Game 1 start and faces a surging Braves lineup that tagged him for seven earned runs over 10 innings in two previous meetings. Irvin has allowed 33 home runs this season and owns a 1.43 WHIP, with opponents batting .271 against him. He’s gone at least five innings in 20 starts but has given up four or more earned runs in seven of his last ten. If Irvin can’t keep the ball in the yard, Washington may be chasing again by the fourth inning.
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Atlanta Braves vs Washington Nationals Pick
Braves vs Nationals Moneyline Pick
- Atlanta (5 Units)
Atlanta is well-positioned to take Game 1 of Tuesday’s doubleheader after dismantling Washington 11–3 on Monday and drawing a favorable pitching matchup against Jake Irvin. The Braves tagged Irvin for seven earned runs across two previous meetings this season, and he enters with a 5.70 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, and 33 home runs allowed—tied for third-most in MLB. Atlanta’s lineup is surging, with Matt Olson coming off a 4-for-5 night and Ronald Acuña Jr. launching his 17th homer. With momentum, matchup history, and offensive depth all tilting toward Atlanta, they should strike early and control the pace.
Spencer Schwellenbach gets the Game 1 start and, while inconsistent, has flashed enough upside to keep Washington’s streaky offense in check. The Nationals rank bottom five in home runs and slugging, and they’ve averaged just 3.8 runs over their last five games. Atlanta’s bullpen is rested and has allowed just one earned run over its last six innings, giving Schwellenbach a solid safety net. With the Braves favored at -154 and playing loose, they’re in a strong spot to extend their win streak and cover the short number.
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Braves vs Nationals Over/Under Pick
- Over (4 Units)
The Over is in play for Game 1, with both teams trending toward high-scoring outcomes and the pitching matchup offering little resistance. Atlanta just dropped 11 runs on Washington Monday night, torching Jake Irvin for six earned and adding five more off the bullpen. Irvin returns for the Game 1 start with a 5.70 ERA and 33 home runs allowed—third-most in MLB—and he’s already been hit hard twice by this Braves lineup. On the other side, Spencer Schwellenbach owns a 4.91 ERA and has allowed 10 homers in just 47.2 innings. Both teams have hit the over in four of their last six, and with warm weather, tired arms, and aggressive swings, this one profiles as another slugfest. Expect a total north of 10 runs, with 7–4 or 8–5 well within range.
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