Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals 7/17/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

In Sunday afternoon MLB action, the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals will wrap up their weekend series from the nation’s capital. The Braves (56-37) have won three straight and trail NL East Division leading New York by two games. On Saturday, Matt Olson and Austin Riley hit back-to-back home runs to power Atlanta to a 6-3 road victory.

Rookie right-hander Spencer Strider (4-2 2.56 ERA) will make his 10th career major league start. Through 70 plus innings, Strider has struck out 110 batters and allowed just three home runs.

The Washington Nationals are in the midst of a nine-game losing streak and own the worst overall record in the majors. During yesterday’s home loss, Washington 1B Josh Bell collected three hits and drove in a pair of runs. SP Paolo Espino (0-3) gave up four runs (3 ER) in five plus innings and took the loss for the Nationals, who fell to 30-63 on the year.

Washington manager Dave Martinez has yet to name a starting pitcher for this game. The Nationals lack quality options on a staff that ranks 29th in the majors with a 5.15 team ERA.