PREMIUM
Rogers' MASSIVE BLOWOUT ALERT ($20) - Won 7 of Last 8 Days! 3-1 Monday!
(MLB) Atlanta vs. Washington,
09/06/2016 3:05 PM, Score: 7 - 9
Money Line: -229.00 Washington (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -229.00 Washington (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Nationals ended Atlanta's six-game winning streak on Labor Day, as Max Scherzer (7 IP / 7 hits / 2 ERs) earned his 16th victory of the season in a 6-4 win. The 80-57 Nats are cruising in the NL East (lead the Mets by 8 1/2 games) but surely won't catch the Cubs for the NL's best overall record, as Chicago checks in at 89-48 through Labor Day. Atlanta' six-game winning streak was nice but the bottom line is, the Braves still own the NL's worst record at 54-84 and are really no match for Washington.
The pitching matchup: Williams Perez (2-2, 4.62 ERA) gets the nod for Atlanta and Gio Gonzalez (10-9, 4.14 ERA) for Washington. Perez was activated from the 60-day disabled list (strained right rotator cuff) when rosters expanded on September 1 and he will make his first start since June 6. He's made nine starts in 2016 (team is 6-3) and is 1-0 with a 5.68 ERA in two games (one start) this season against Washington. Perez made three rehab starts in the minor leaguers, with five shutout innings in his last start for Triple-A. Gonzalez has not had a good season overall but has picked the right time to pitch his best baseball of the season. He is 2-0 with a 3.06 ERA in his last three starts (Nats are 2-1). His career record vs. Atlanta is not good though, going 4-8 with a 4.24 ERA (teams are 5-10 in his starts).
The pick: Here's the bottom line. The Braves are 26 1/2 games behind the Nationals this year and that pretty much says it all. On top of that, the Braves send an inexperienced pitcher out, making his first start since June 6 up against Gonzalez, who has now won at least 10 games in every season since 2010. Gonzalez has won five of his six decisions with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP since the All-Star break, allowing two ERs or less in seven of his nine second-half starts. He also owns a 2.31 ERA in two starts against Atlanta this season. Washington is a 6* play.
The pitching matchup: Williams Perez (2-2, 4.62 ERA) gets the nod for Atlanta and Gio Gonzalez (10-9, 4.14 ERA) for Washington. Perez was activated from the 60-day disabled list (strained right rotator cuff) when rosters expanded on September 1 and he will make his first start since June 6. He's made nine starts in 2016 (team is 6-3) and is 1-0 with a 5.68 ERA in two games (one start) this season against Washington. Perez made three rehab starts in the minor leaguers, with five shutout innings in his last start for Triple-A. Gonzalez has not had a good season overall but has picked the right time to pitch his best baseball of the season. He is 2-0 with a 3.06 ERA in his last three starts (Nats are 2-1). His career record vs. Atlanta is not good though, going 4-8 with a 4.24 ERA (teams are 5-10 in his starts).
The pick: Here's the bottom line. The Braves are 26 1/2 games behind the Nationals this year and that pretty much says it all. On top of that, the Braves send an inexperienced pitcher out, making his first start since June 6 up against Gonzalez, who has now won at least 10 games in every season since 2010. Gonzalez has won five of his six decisions with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP since the All-Star break, allowing two ERs or less in seven of his nine second-half starts. He also owns a 2.31 ERA in two starts against Atlanta this season. Washington is a 6* play.
