Braves vs Nationals Picks and Prediction – 5/21/2025

The Atlanta Braves play the second game of a three-game series on the road Wednesday versus the Washington Nationals. Atlanta is 24-23 following its 10-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. Marcell Ozuna hit a home run for the Braves, and Alex Verdugo had three hits for Atlanta. The Braves trail first place in the National League East by five games. Keep up to date with all the MLB action with our expert MLB picks.

Austin Riley is batting .287 with 28 RBI and 56 hits to lead Atlanta in the three categories. Matt Olson is the leader in home runs with nine, and Marcell Ozuna is the leader in on-base percentage at .420. Atlanta is batting .247 with a .390 slugging percentage. On Wednesday, Atlanta will send AJ Smith-Shawver to the mound. The right-hander is 3-2 with a 2.33 ERA, 40 Ks, and 17 BBs.

The Washington Nationals improved to 21-27 following Sunday’s 10-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. CJ Abrams hit two home runs for Washington, and the Nationals went deep five times. Washington swept Baltimore in its three-game series. The Nationals are fourth in the National League East, 8 ½ games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies.

CJ Abrams is batting .312 to lead Washington, and Nathaniel Lowe is the leader in RBI with 33. James Wood is the leader in home runs with 12, hits with 51, and on-base percentage at .373. Washington is batting .241 with a .390 slugging percentage. On Wednesday, Washington will send Trevor Williams to the mound. The right-hander is 2-5 with a 5.91 ERA, 38 Ks, and 12 BBs.

Atlanta has won five of its last seven, and the Braves have won six of the last nine head-to-head versus the Nationals. Atlanta starter AJ Smith-Shawver has had five consecutive strong outings, allowing five runs on 18 hits across 30 innings, with Atlanta winning each of the five. Washington starter Trevor Williams has been hit hard in four consecutive outings, allowing 16 runs across 21 innings. Final Score Prediction: Atlanta Braves win 5-3.