The Atlanta Braves host the Washington Nationals on May 24, 2026. First pitch from Truist Park is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on BravesVsn.
The Braves are favored by -156 on the moneyline and by -1.5 on the run line. The Nationals are +132 on the moneyline and +1.5 on the run line. The total is set at 8.5 runs.
Find my MLB picks and Nationals vs Braves prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, weather report, and more.
Nationals vs Braves Prediction
- Nationals vs Braves Pick: Braves ML (-160 or Better)
My Nationals vs Braves best bet is on Atlanta to win. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Nationals vs Braves Odds
| Nationals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -166 | 8.5 -105o / -115u | +132 |
| Braves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +138 | 8.5 -105o / -115u | -156 |
- Nationals vs Braves moneyline: Nationals +132, Braves -156
- Nationals vs Braves over/under: 8.5 (-105o / -115u)
- Nationals vs Braves spread: Braves -1.5 (+138), Nationals +1.5 (-166)
Nationals vs Braves Probable Pitchers
| Foster Griffen (LHP, WSN) | Stat | Martin Perez (LHP, ATL) |
|---|---|---|
| 5-2 | W-L | 2-2 |
| 0.3 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.4 |
| 4.02 / 4.39 | ERA / xERA | 2.85 / 3.80 |
| 4.67 / 3.82 | FIP / xFIP | 3.93 / 3.67 |
| 15.2% | K-BB% | 15.3% |
| 43.0% | GB% | 43.0% |
| .252 | BABIP | .219 |
| 97 | Stuff+ | 89 |
| 103 | Location+ | 102 |
Nationals vs Braves MLB Betting Preview
The Braves and Nationals will square off on Sunday afternoon at Truist Park in Atlanta in an NL East divisional clash featuring two red-hot lineups in what surely sets up to be one of the best matchups on the entire slate.
Braves’ left-hander Martin Perez will take the mound for Atlanta, while the Nationals will send out 30-year-old starter Foster Griffin in what will be a “lefty versus lefty” pitching duel on Sunday.
While both left-handers are in decent form heading into this contest, it’s the Braves’ Martin Perez who is off to a far superior start to his 2026 campaign thus far.
In his first ten starts of the season, the Braves’ veteran has recorded an exceptional 2.85 ERA to go along with a 1.00 WHIP on the bump, with the Venezuelan having allowed 13 earned runs (ER) across 41 frames pitched in 2026.
After a rather impressive start to his 2025 season with the White Sox, Perez was unfortunately forced to hit the shelf for over four months after having suffered a left flexor tendon strain in his elbow following 11 starts in Chicago.
Though it took some extensive rehabbing, the first-year Brave is picking up right where he left off last season and is in phenomenal form on the mound prior to facing a young, much-improved 2026 Nationals’ lineup.
On the other hand, Nationals’ lefty Foster Griffin has not had as much success thus far compared to his Sunday pitching counterpart.
Washington’s left-hander has recorded a 4.02 ERA across his first ten outings in 2026 and has a date with arguably baseball’s best offensive lineup in the Braves.
Despite possibly losing Ronald Acuña Jr to the IL for the second time this season with the Braves’ superstar slugger now dealing with a thumb injury, Atlanta is an offense juggernaut even without its star player.
In the first week of the season, I hopped on the Braves to win the 2026 World Series in the futures market.
Given that Griffin is not currently in the best form on the mound, the Nats’ lefty may have his work cut out for him on Sunday afternoon, having to throw against a lineup boasting incredible hard-contact and versatility from top-to-bottom.
In a Sunday matchup where the Braves hold advantages all over the diamond, I feel very confident backing Atlanta on the moneyline ahead of this divisional clash.
Pick: Braves ML (-160 or Better)
