Two of the most recent National League East champions will meet on Thursday night for game one of a four-game set when the Nationals host the Braves. Atlanta took home the crown last year and Washington raised the flag in 2012. Both of these teams will fit to the bitter end this year for the title, but we like Washington at home in the opener on Thursday to expand their lead in the standings.
Nationals back in first looking for a cushion
After overtaking the Braves for the division lead earlier this week, the Nationals now host the team closest to them in the standings for four games. Washington will look to put some distance between them and the Braves beginning on Thursday night when they send Jordan Zimmermann to the mound to cool the Atlanta offense. Zimmermann is 5-3 with a 2.98 ERA. He dropped his last start to the Cardinals, allowing just one earned run in eight innings pitched.
Braves looking to regain ground in the East standings
Atlanta is fresh off being swept at home in three games by the Phillies, dropping them from first and setting them back by 1.5 games in the standings. Now, they ask veteran Gavin Floyd to end their current slide and put them back in the win column. Floyd is 1-2 with a 2.98 ERA in just eight starts this season. He will need command of all his pitches to limit the Nationals potent offense tonight on the road.
We find the betting odds for tonight’s content between the Braves and the Nationals at Bovada.lv, where the host Nats are favorites to win this game. Washington has been hot, winning two in a row and six of their last 10 games played. We will drop 15 percent of our bankroll on the Nationals and the -135 money line as they take game one from Atlanta.
Chris Wassel
AA, AAS
CURRENTLY
Sports Writer and Journalist
RESIDES IN
Rahway, NJ
EDUCATION
Union County College, Montclair State University
EXPERTISE
Business, Writing, Sports, Food, Grilling, Olympics, Injuries, Politics, and more
Summary
Member of FSWA, FSGA, and a variety of Sports Betting Groups.
Works on injuries for a variety of sites. Edits articles from NASCAR to football and beyond.
Occasionally runs sites like mynhltraderumor.com and Full Press Hockey/Bets.
Does a podcast for Full Press Hockey and a few other sports too.
Experience
Chris Wassel has 20+ years of sports journalistic experience in various disciplines.
His ability to play sports is well documented. Most people in the business just write. However, Chris will race cars and even a super Moto bike from time to time. There is that fitness and hiking/cycling aspect too.
Chris has climbed mountains from Mount Washington to Mount San Jacinto in Palm Springs, California. For those that do not know. Chris also dabbles in food eating contests and challenges. Having a unique background with friends including Joey Chestnut and Casey Webb, Chris has the ability to eat a whole 16-pound turkey or a 32 inch meat lover's pizza.
Since 2013, Chris does focus on things like fitness, fishing, and sports. One would be surprised that Chris runs, hikes, and rock climbs. There are even those occasional mini-triathlons. One truly can pack a lot in a small package. Chris can lift things over his body weight with ease. Also, if there is a NASCAR rain prop, Chris can tell you if there will be a Monday race.
Throughout his career, Chris has worked at a wide range of places from Amazon to USA Today to a variety of rumors and fantasy sports sites.
Finally, Chris has been nominated for quite a few awards from the Fantasy Sports Writers Association for Hockey Writer Of The Year. Also, there have been a number of high-stakes fantasy trophies and rings that Chris sports in his house.
Education
Chris received an Associates from Union Country College for business and accounting. Chris did sports journalism work at Montclair State University covering the hockey, baseball, and football teams.
Quote from Chris Wassel
"Shut up and play.”