The Washington Nationals host the Atlanta Braves on September 2, 2026. First pitch from Nationals Park is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on NATS.
The Braves are favored by -163 on the moneyline and by -1.5 on the run line. The Nationals are +135 on the moneyline and +1.5 on the run line. The total is set at 9 runs.
Find our MLB picks and Braves vs Nationals prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, weather report, and more.
Braves vs Nationals Prediction
- Braves vs Nationals Pick: Grant Holmes Under 4.5 Strikeouts (-143)
Our Braves vs Nationals best bet is on Grant Holmes to record under 4.5 strikeouts. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Braves vs Nationals Odds
| Braves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -102 | 9 -112o / -108u | -163 |
| Nationals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -119 | 9 -112o / -108u | +135 |
- Braves vs Nationals moneyline: Braves -163, Nationals +135
- Braves vs Nationals over/under: 9 (-112o / -108u)
- Braves vs Nationals spread: Braves -1.5 (-102), Nationals +1.5 (-119)
Braves vs Nationals Probable Pitchers
| Grant Holmes (RHP, ATL) | Stat | Brad Lord (RHP, WSN) |
|---|---|---|
| 9-5 | W-L | 5-2 |
| 0.7 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.2 |
| 3.71/4.74 | ERA / xERA | 3.75/4.12 |
| 4.76/4.53 | FIP / xFIP | 4.26/3.95 |
| 8.7% | K-BB% | 12.1% |
| 42.9% | GB% | 56.4% |
| .263 | BABIP | .247 |
| 87 | Stuff+ | 95 |
| 101 | Location+ | 99 |
Braves vs Nationals MLB Betting Preview
The Washington Nationals enter Game 2 looking to build on their 1-0 series advantage over the division-leading Atlanta Braves.
Washington holds a 67-74 overall record and a 33-39 mark at home, relying heavily on keeping the ball inside the park—the team is 29-16 in contests where they do not surrender a home run.
Atlanta comes in at 82-57 overall, holding the top spot in the NL East, alongside a 34-33 record on the road.
The Braves' offense continues to produce efficiently, ranking 10th in Major League Baseball with a .248 collective team batting average.
This Wednesday afternoon matchup marks the 13th meeting between the two rivals this year, with Atlanta currently holding an 8-4 lead in the season series.
Right-hander Grant Holmes (9-5, 3.71 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 103 Ks) gets the nod for Atlanta, while Washington counters with Brad Lord (5-2, 3.75 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 64 Ks).
Braves vs Nationals Pick, Betting Analysis
Our projections point toward a strong opportunity on Grant Holmes' strikeout prop.
Action PRO projects Holmes to finish with 3.68 strikeouts against Washington, offering a clear 9.1% edge against the market line of over/under 4.5 Ks and earning an A grade in our system.
The recent trends heavily support this angle, as Holmes has failed to reach the four-strikeout mark in each of his last four starts.
While he enjoyed a sharp month of August—posting a 3-1 record with a 3.04 ERA and throwing three scoreless outings—his strikeout numbers have steadily declined.
Expect Washington to put the ball in play, making the Under on Grant Holmes' 4.5 strikeouts the best play for this game.
Pick: Grant Holmes Under 4.5 Strikeouts (-143)
