Game Two of the doubleheader between the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals on Tuesday will test the pitching staffs of both teams. Braves have reigning NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale on the mound for this contest, while MacKenzie Gore gets the start for Washington. Both will need to avoid going out early and risking major bullpen problems for their teams. Here, I break down this NL East matchup and give you my Braves vs Nationals Game 2 prediction for Tuesday evening.
Our Braves vs Nationals Game 2 Pick
- Pick: Braves −1.5
- Confidence: ★★★★☆
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Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Atlanta Braves vs Washington Nationals
- Date & Time: Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 6:45 PM ET
- Starting Pitchers: Chris Sale (Braves) vs MacKenzie Gore (Nationals)
- Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
- Broadcast: MLB.tv
Key Storylines
Pitching Matchup
Chris Sale returns after being on the injured list earlier in the season. His overall 2025 numbers are outstanding. Sale has a 2.52 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 141 strikeouts over 107.0 innings. Meanwhile, MacKenzie Gore is 5-14 with a 4.14 ERA. The second half of his season has been rough, especially in high-leverage spots. Gore has bursts of strikeouts, but he gives up too many walks and extra-base hits. The pitching matchup for Game 2 heavily favors Sale.
Key Players
Matt Olson continues to rake for the Braves. He collected four hits, including a three-run homer, two doubles, and 4 RBI in Monday’s series opener. He now has 26 homers and has been one of Atlanta’s most consistent bats this season. Ronald Acuña Jr. also homered in Game One. His ability to change the game with one swing is so valuable when facing a Nationals staff that gives up home runs often. On Washington’s side, Daylen Lile has emerged as a rookie bat to watch. Asking him to carry an offense against arms like Sale is a tall order but he will try to do his part.
Recent Team Streaks
- The Braves have won two straight games going into today’s doubleheader action.
- The Nats have dropped three of their last five games.
Best Player Props
| Player | Prop |
|---|---|
| Chris Sale (Braves) | Over 6.5 strikeouts |
| MacKenzie Gore (Nationals) | Over 4.5 strikeouts |
| Matt Olson (Braves) | Home run |
| James Wood (Nationals) | Total Bases over 1.5 |
Betting Trends & H2H
- Atlanta is 71-79 on the runline so far this season.
- Washington is 72-78 on the runline in 2025.
- Washington’s games have gone over their totals 53.9% of the time in 2025.
- The Braves have stayed under the total 52.5% of the time this season.
Braves vs Nationals Game 2 Model Projection
Score Projection: Braves 6 – Nationals 2
Win Probability: Braves 70%, Nationals 30%
Final Thoughts
Given Chris Sale’s elite form and Washington’s recent struggles in pitching and consistency, Atlanta should win Game Two handily. I recommend laying the runline with Atlanta in this contest, as their offensive firepower should give Sale the run support he needs to exit this game with the lead in a doubleheader that Atlanta could very well sweep.
