Nationals vs Braves Picks and Prediction – 5/15/2025

The Thursday MLB schedule will get underway with a matinee between the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves from Truist Park. Stay up on all the MLB action with our free MLB Picks. The Nationals (18-26) are six games below .500 on the road and are a distant fourth place in the NL East Division standings. Last night, OF James Wood delivered a go-ahead double in the eighth inning to lift Washington to a 5-4 road victory against Atlanta. C.J. Abrams reached base four times and scored a run for the Nationals. 

Thirty-three year old righty Trevor Williams (2-4 5.88 ERA) has been hit hard as of late for the Nationals. Over his last 16 plus innings, Williams has surrendered 21 hits and 14 earned runs. 

The Atlanta Braves have won 14 of their first 21 home games and are seven games back in the NL East Division race. During Wednesday’s home loss, Atlanta batters went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base. OF Stuart Fairchild went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored for the Braves, who fell to 21-21 on the year. 

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker will give the nod to talented right-hander A.J. Smith-Shawver (2-2 2.76 ERA) on Thursday. The Braves have won Smith-Shawver’s previous four starts and he has allowed just five runs across his last 24 frames.

Atlanta OF Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) will move his rehab to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday and hopes to make his season debut later this month. Through 44 games, Washington ranks 20th in OPS and 16th in runs scored. For the season, Atlanta ranks 16th in OPS and 20th in runs scored. Take the Nationals to win on the road. Final Score Prediction, Washington Nationals win 5-3.