MLB Game Preview: Atlanta Braves (16-8) vs. Washington Nationals (11-13)

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Washington Nationals logo

First Pitch: 3:45 PM ET

Venue: Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C.

Weather: 73°F at gametime (clear, mild conditions)

Injury Report

Atlanta Braves

Blake Burkhalter (RP) – 7‑Day IL, returns Apr 25

Sean Murphy (C) – 10‑Day IL, returns Apr 28

Spencer Strider (SP) – 15‑Day IL, returns May 1

Raisel Iglesias (RP) – 15‑Day IL, returns May 5

Ha‑Seong Kim (SS) – 10‑Day IL, returns May 12

Washington Nationals

Joan Adon (RP) – OUT Apr 22

Cole Henry (RP) – 15‑Day IL, returns Apr 28

Josiah Gray (SP) – 60‑Day IL, returns May 29

Ken Waldichuk (RP) – 60‑Day IL, returns Jun 1

Trevor Williams (SP) – 60‑Day IL, returns Jun 1

Probable Pitching Matchup

Atlanta – Martín Pérez (LHP)

1–1, 2.21 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 20.1 IP, 13 H, 10 K, 6 BB, 1 HR

Washington – Zack Littell (RHP)

0–2, 7.11 ERA, 1.74 WHIP, 19.0 IP, 27 H, 14 K, 6 BB, 7 HR

Team Records & Statistical Profile

Atlanta Braves (16–8)

Away Record: 8–4

Team AVG: .272

Runs: 135

HR: 32

ERA: 3.04

WHIP: 1.12

Washington Nationals (11–13)

Home Record: 3–8

Team AVG: .253

Runs: 136

HR: 27

ERA: 5.64

WHIP: 1.53

Recent Team Form

Braves – Last 5

L 11–4 @ WSH

W 9–4 @ WSH

W 4–2 @ PHI

W 3–1 @ PHI

W 9–0 @ PHI

Nationals – Last 5

W 11–4 vs ATL

L 9–4 vs ATL

W 3–0 vs SF

L 7–6 vs SF (12 inn)

L 10–5 vs SF

Key Player Matchups

Atlanta

Matt Olson: 6 HR, .266 AVG, 19 RBI

Mauricio Dubón: .313 AVG, .360 OBP

Drake Baldwin: 22 RBI, .310 AVG

Washington

James Wood: 8 HR, 19 RBI

CJ Abrams: .296 AVG, .420 OBP, 19 RBI

Daylen Lile: .284 AVG, 27 H

Series History

Braves and Nationals have split the first two games of this series:

Apr 20: Braves 9–4 W

Apr 21: Nationals 11–4 W

Braves have won 4 of their last 5 vs. Washington overall (inference based on recent results).

Betting Trends

Atlanta:

14–5 in night games

#1 MLB ERA (3.04)

Strong bullpen: 100% save rate (9/9)

Washington:

6–6 in night games

High‑variance offense (27 HR, 136 runs)

Pitching struggles: 5.64 ERA

Game Odds

Atlanta Braves                  – 149

Washington Nationals   9

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, April 21, 2026