2025-09-17 Braves at Nationals Matchup Preview

Pitching Matchup

Hurston Waldrep takes the mound for the Atlanta Braves, while Bradley Lord will be pitching for the Washington Nationals. Waldrep is aiming to leverage his repertoire to keep the Nationals' offense at bay. Lord will be looking to leverage his pitch mix against a Braves lineup that can be very dangerous.

Braves' Offensive Outlook

The Braves' offense has demonstrated a significant presence, and their overall expected weighted on-base average stands at .327. Atlanta's lineup showcases a blend of experience and youthful talent, culminating in a team that can generate runs in a multitude of ways. Key to their offensive strategy is a patient approach at the plate combined with the ability to capitalize on mistakes made by opposing pitchers. When facing Bradley Lord, the Braves will aim to exploit any vulnerabilities, focusing on his pitch tendencies and movement. The Braves will need to take advantage of their opportunities against Lord to put up runs.

Nationals' Offensive Outlook

The Washington Nationals' offense has posted an expected weighted on-base average of .326, showing they can be a productive offensive team, even if it lags slightly behind Atlanta. Washington's lineup will need to adopt a strategic approach when facing Hurston Waldrep. Given Waldrep's tendencies, the Nationals will likely emphasize plate discipline. A high walk percentage will be key for the Nationals to wear down Waldrep early. Washington's hitters will need to stay disciplined to maximize their offensive production. Waldrep presents a challenge, but the Nationals have the capacity to respond effectively by staying in counts and making him throw pitches.

Braves' Pitching Strategy

Hurston Waldrep's effectiveness will hinge on his ability to command the strike zone and vary his pitch selection. Focusing on a balance between fastball velocity and off-speed deception, Waldrep will need to prevent the Nationals from becoming comfortable at the plate. Given Washington's offensive tendencies, Waldrep should focus on preventing easy scoring opportunities. Waldrep's primary goal should be to leverage his best pitches against Washington's strengths, forcing them to adjust their approach and preventing them from stringing together multiple hits in an inning. He'll need to be mindful of their ability to work the count, preventing them from getting into advantageous hitter's counts. This matchup could define Atlanta's ability to contain Washington's offense.

Nationals' Pitching Strategy

Bradley Lord will need to command his pitches effectively to mitigate the Braves' offensive firepower. By mixing speeds and hitting his spots, Lord can disrupt the timing of Atlanta's hitters. He will need to keep hitters off-balance to keep the Braves' offense in check. Given the Braves' proven ability to generate runs, Lord must prevent runners from reaching base. The Nationals' defense will need to be sharp, turning potential hits into outs and minimizing any damage done by the Braves. He must avoid giving up walks and easy opportunities for Atlanta to capitalize on. Lord's ability to keep the Braves off-balance will be essential for the Nationals to stay competitive. By effectively leveraging his strengths against the Braves' potent offense, Lord can provide Washington with a chance to secure a victory.

Game Prediction

Given the pitching matchups and offensive capabilities of both teams, this game appears to favor the Braves slightly. Waldrep's ability to limit damage combined with the Braves' slightly more potent offense is predicted to give them the edge.