Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals 8/13/21 - MLB Picks & Predictions

Last Updated: 08/12/2021 at 10:19 PM ET

Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals 8/13/21 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Friday MLB schedule will get underway with a National League East Division clash between the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals. The Braves (59-56) are a game above .500 on the road and trail Philadelphia by one full game for first place. On Thursday, Atlanta SP Kyle Muller (2-4) was rocked for six runs and recorded just seven outs during a 12-3 home loss versus Cincinnati.

Thirty-seven year old righty Charlie Morton (10-4 3.52 ERA) will take the mound for the Braves in this matchup. In his last start, Morton tossed six scoreless innings during a 3-2 home loss versus Washington.

The Washington Nationals were major sellers at the trade deadline and have dropped nine of their last ten games. On Thursday, Washington was swept during a doubleheader in New York by 4-1 and 5-4 final scores. In the second game, RP Kyle Finnegan served up a walk-off home run to 1B Pete Alonso after the Nationals (50-65) rallied for three runs to tie the game in the seventh inning.

Rookie right-hander Josiah Gray (0-0 4.00 ERA) will make his fourth career major league start. Last time out, Gray fanned ten batters and allowed one run in five innings during a 3-2 road victory against Atlanta.

Atlanta SP Ian Anderson (shoulder) made a rehab start on Wednesday and hopes to rejoin the rotation later this month. Through 115 games, Atlanta ranks 7th in OPS and 10th in runs scored. For the season, Washington ranks 8th in OPS and 18th in runs scored. Take the Braves to win on the road. Final Score Prediction, Atlanta Braves win 6-3.