The Atlanta Braves travel north to face the Washington Nationals and we have the prediction for this matchup as it presents itself as one of the best early on in the season. Both teams are coming off series sweeps and will look to continue their winning ways. Check out why the Nationals are the favorite to win this matchup.
Let's start with the pitching matchup. The Nationals' Ross Detwiler, lefty, takes the hill against the Braves. Though certain Braves are have had success against Detwiler, he still has a 2-1 record with a 3.33 ERA and 29 strikeouts that will surely increase after facing this free swinging Braves team.
Heyward, in 14 at-bats, is hitting .357 off Detwiler. Reed Johnson has totally owned Detwiler with a .500 average in 12 at-bats with a home run. Andrelton Simmons is 2-6 with a home run and three RBI against Detwiler. So the Braves have had success, however one of the team's major question marks is tonight's pitcher, Julio Teheran.
Though Teheran was greatly successful during Spring Training, he didn't give the Braves what they thought he was capable of in his first start of the year. He got the no decision against the Chicago Cubs, but he gave up five runs in five innings pitched. His command wasn't all there striking out two batters and walking one.
Teheran will have to bring his A-Game if he wants to defeat the Nationals. He has the advantage because the Nationals' hitters have never faced Teheran in a big league game. However, the Nationals are healthy and with Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman, a healthy Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche, you have to like their chances to adjust to Teheran if they don't get to him early.
Meanwhile, the Braves were able to limp past a poorly structured Miami Marlins team. The Braves took all games and really struggled to cross the plate in the first two games. They won the final game of the series in convincing manner 8-0. They are still without Freddie Freeman and Brian McCann and because of this, the Braves don't look as strong as the Nationals do.
If the battle comes down to the pitching, advantage Nationals, though the Braves have the lowest ERA in baseball coming into the game.
Final Score Predictions: Braves manage to cross the plate twice, while Teheran relaxed and pitches into the six inning allow three runs. Washington Nationals win 5-2.
Who do you think has the advantage and why? Leave your comments or tweet to me @Frankie_SWR with your response.
