This is a a 9* TOP NL TOTAL on the OVER Nationals/Braves.

Both teams have been involved in several lower-scoring games of late, but we're expecting those trends to end this evening.

The Nationals have seen the total go UNDER in five of their last ix, including in two straight to end their series in Philadelphia, while the Braves have now seen the total go UNDER the number in six straight after falling 3-2 to the Cardinals last night.

And that's in fact significant to note in this case, as Atlanta has seen the total go OVER the number in ten of its last 13 after playing to five or more straight UNDERS in a row.

Neither starting pitcher has been terrible this year, but "pedestrian" is probably the better word to describe their performances.

The Nationals' Erick Fedde is 5-5 with a 4.29 ERA, while the Braves' Charlie Morton is 4-4 with a 4.34 ERA.

We expect each to get chased early here though, as the situation and the numbers/trends finally point to a "slug-fest" in Atlanta tonight.

The play is the OVER.

Good luck, NP