Atlanta Braves vs Washington Nationals Picks and Predictions for Monday, April 20, 2026
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The Atlanta Braves visit the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Monday at 6:45 PM ET on ESPN Unlimited/MLB.TV. Atlanta is 14-7, first in the NL East, while Washington is 9-12 and tied for third in the division. The Braves won 3-1 over the Phillies in their most recent game, while the Nationals lost 7-6 in extra innings to the Giants. This opens a four-game series between the teams. Find value with our free MLB picks.
Atlanta Braves Preview
The Braves beat Philadelphia 3-1 in their most recent game and have now won four straight. Atlanta has been one of the most consistent teams in baseball early in the season, combining strong pitching with steady offensive production during this stretch. Atlanta is hitting .278 with a .344 on-base percentage and .454 slugging percentage, producing 118 runs through 21 games. Drake Baldwin leads the team with a .318 average and 19 RBI, while Matt Olson has added five home runs and 15 RBI with a .394 on-base percentage. Contributions from Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley have helped give the lineup depth, allowing Atlanta to generate runs consistently across the order.
The Braves have also been strong on the mound, posting a 2.70 ERA and 1.07 WHIP while holding opponents to a .211 average. The staff has limited baserunners and controlled innings effectively, which has supported the offense and helped Atlanta maintain its position at the top of the division.
Injuries: Raisel Iglesias, Day-To-Day, Blake Burkhalter, 7-Day IL, Sean Murphy, 10-Day IL, Spencer Strider, 15-Day IL, Ha-Seong Kim, 10-Day IL
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Washington Nationals Preview
The Nationals lost 7-6 in 12 innings to San Francisco in their most recent game and have dropped two straight. Washington has been competitive in several games but has struggled to close out results, particularly at home, where the team is just 1-7.
Washington is hitting .259 with a .336 on-base percentage and .409 slugging percentage, also producing 118 runs this season. CJ Abrams leads the team with a .338 average, six home runs, and 19 RBI, while James Wood has added seven home runs and 18 RBI. The lineup has shown the ability to generate offense, but consistency has been an issue from game to game. Pitching has been the primary concern. The Nationals have a 5.92 ERA and 1.58 WHIP while allowing a .273 opponent average. The staff has issued 94 walks, consistently allowing baserunners, making it difficult to protect leads or control games late.
Injuries: Joan Adon, Out, Cole Henry, 15-Day IL, Josiah Gray, 60-Day IL, Ken Waldichuk, 60-Day IL, Trevor Williams, 60-Day IL
Pitching Matchup
Atlanta Braves – Reynaldo Lopez
Lopez is 1-0 with a 2.18 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 20.2 innings. He has allowed 15 hits with 19 strikeouts and has limited damage effectively across four starts.
Washington Nationals – Jake Irvin
Irvin is 1-2 with a 6.16 ERA and 1.47 WHIP over 19.0 innings. He has allowed 17 hits and 11 walks, struggling with control at times.
Atlanta Braves vs Washington Nationals Prediction
Atlanta has the advantage entering this matchup due to stronger pitching and more consistent offensive production. The Braves have been able to control games with their staff, while Washington continues to struggle to limit baserunners. With Lopez in better form than Irvin and the Braves' lineup producing at a higher level, Atlanta will take the series opener. Final Score Prediction: Atlanta Braves win 6-3.
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