Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction and Picks for Monday, September 22nd, 2025
Use Code SSWC The MLB rolls out a slim three-game slate on Monday, and one of the intriguing matchups pits the Washington Nationals (64-92) against the Atlanta Braves (73-83). We’ve got you covered with our Nationals vs. Braves prediction. Below, I’ll dive into each team’s recent form and break down the starting pitching matchup, before concluding with picks and predictions on this contest that gets underway at 7:15 ET from Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. Read on for free MLB picks on this game, and check out that link for other game breakdowns.
Nationals in the Cellar of the N.L. East
The Washington Nationals were expected to take a step forward in 2025 with their young core of prospects, but that hasn’t really materialized at all. Instead, the Nats, who are 64-92, are the second-worst team in the National League. Only the Rockies (42-113) are worse. The Nationals are in the midst of a 2-5 slide over their last seven games, but they were able to play spoiler over the weekend and take two out of three games against the Mets (L: 12-6, W: 5-3, W: 3-2).
Sunday’s 3-2 victory over the Mets saw the Nationals jump out to a 3-0 lead in the 2nd inning and never look back. Jorge Alfaro logged an RBI single to get things started, while Nasim Nunez blasted a subsequent two-run homer. Jake Irvin (5.1 IP, 2 ER) picked up the win in the starter’s role, while Mitchell Parker (3.2 IP, 0 ER) locked things down on the backend and picked up his first save.
- MacKenzie Gore heads to the bump for the Nationals on Monday, and the 26-year-old hurler has been serviceable in 2025.
- In 29 starts (157.2 IP), the left-hander has gone 5-14 with a 4.00 ERA (31st) and a 1.32 WHIP (40th).
- Gore just faced the Braves on Tuesday, and he blanked them over 5.1 innings, allowing only two hits and three walks.
- It was a no-decision effort in a 5-0 extra-innings defeat.
Braves Plagued By Injuries
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves boast a playoff-caliber roster, but the issue is that they have been plagued by injuries all season long. At one point, Atlanta had all five of its starting pitchers on the Injured List. This has effectively rendered the 2025 campaign a waste, as the Braves sit at 73-83 and are outside of the playoffs. In terms of recent form, Atlanta has won its last eight games. This just speaks to how talented their roster is. Most recently, the Braves swept the Tigers (10-1, 6-5, 6-2) on the road in Motown.
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Atlanta’s pitching was excellent in Sunday’s 6-2 victory, and it was Spencer Strider (5.0 IP, 0 ER) who picked up the win. Offensively, the Braves registered 11 hits and scored six runs. Michael Harris II led the way with a 2-for-5 day, adding an RBI with a double in the 9th.
- Chris Sale will oppose Gore on Monday, and the veteran hurler is turning in another superb season.
- He has only made 20 starts (102.2 IP), but the left-hander has gone 5-5 with a 2.35 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.
- Sale faced Gore and the Nationals on Tuesday, and he threw 8.0 scoreless frames, conceding only three hits.
- He racked up nine strikeouts for the fourth straight game, but took a no-decision in the 5-0 extra-innings win.
Nationals vs. Braves Pick
Run Line Pick for Nationals vs. Braves
- Atlanta Braves -1.5 (-115) (5 units)
The Braves are on fire right now. They’ve won their last eight games, and seven out of the eight games have seen multi-run victories. Included in the eight-game heater is a four-game sweep of the Nationals (11-3, 6-3, 5-0, 9-4) last week. Being that Atlanta is playing so well and we just saw them smash Washington, I’m willing to lay the 1.5 runs in this spot.
The biggest area of concern for the Nationals is their bullpen. We saw MacKenzie Gore throw 5.1 scoreless innings against the Braves last week, but the Nats still went on to lose that game 5-0. That defeat fell on the relief staff, which is now ranked dead last in ERA (5.56) and 29th in opposing batting average (.268). The Braves should have opportunities to score late in this game, and it shouldn’t take much run support with the dynamic Chris Sale taking the ball on the other end.
Over/Under Pick for Nationals vs. Braves
- Under 7.5 (-115) (5 units)
We saw this exact pitching matchup between MacKenzie Gore and Chris Sale last week, and the game was 0-0 heading into the 10th inning. I will gladly play the under 7.5 runs between these two aces.
Sale has been lights out this year, logging a 2.35 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. He has mowed down the Nationals in the past as well, as their current roster is slashing just .194/.219/.323 against him over 61 at-bats. As for Gore, he has held the Braves to a slash line of .240/.324/.469 over 96 at-bats. The southpaw has registered a 1.74 ERA in two starts (10.1 IP) this month. Give me the under.
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