Atlanta Braves vs Washington Nationals Picks and Predictions May 15th 2025

Nationals Look to Build Momentum with Win Over Braves

After dropping seven straight games, the Washington Nationals finally flipped the script with a hard-fought 5-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. It wasn’t pretty—they had three runners thrown out on the bases—but it was effective. That “W” stopped the bleeding and injected some energy back into the clubhouse.

“It was a good team effort today,” said manager Dave Martinez. “The boys played well. We’re playing baseball. It’s fun to watch these guys come out and compete.”

The Nationals now have their eyes on a series split in this four-game set, hoping to ride that momentum into Thursday’s finale.

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Pitching Preview: Williams vs. Smith-Shawver

Let’s talk arms.

Trevor Williams (2-4, 5.88 ERA) will start for Washington. He’s had a rough go lately, giving up 12 earned runs across his last three starts. Still, he managed to complete six innings in his last outing against St. Louis, showing flashes of reliability.

Williams actually has a solid track record vs. Atlanta—3-1 with a 3.26 ERA in 11 appearances (seven starts). He’ll need every bit of that experience to keep the surging Braves at bay.

AJ Smith-Shawver (2-2, 2.76 ERA) counters for Atlanta. At just 22 years old, he’s quickly proving himself as a legit rotation piece. He’s been remarkably consistent, allowing two runs or fewer in five of six starts. In his last game, he went 5 2/3 innings and gave up just one run to the Pirates.

He also pitched 5 1/3 innings of two-run (unearned) ball in his only previous start vs. Washington.

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Braves’ Bullpen Falters as Offense Struggles

Wednesday’s game was another in a growing trend for Atlanta: close but not enough. The Braves have now scored five or fewer runs in 14 straight games, averaging just 3.1 runs per game during that span.

Bryce Elder pitched well but the bullpen gave up the lead. Stuart Fairchild finally broke out of an 0-for-18 slump, going 2-for-3 with an RBI double, two runs, and two outfield assists.

Despite showing flashes, Atlanta is 7-7 in this stretch, and the offense continues to sputter.

Injuries also loom—Spencer Strider is working his way back and could rejoin the rotation as early as next week after throwing 65 pitches in a sim game.

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Nationals’ Offense Shows Signs of Life

James Wood delivered the go-ahead double in the eighth inning, while CJ Abrams reached base four times. Closer Kyle Finnegan notched his 13th save despite a tense ninth inning.

Even with aggressive base running mistakes, the Nationals found ways to win—and that’s something they hadn’t done in over a week.

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FAQs

Who is pitching for the Nationals today?
Trevor Williams gets the nod. He’s 3-1 with a 3.26 ERA in his career against the Braves.

How good has AJ Smith-Shawver been this season?
He holds a 2.76 ERA and has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his six starts.

Did the Nationals win last night?
Yes, they came from behind to beat Atlanta 5-4 and snap a seven-game skid.

What’s wrong with the Braves’ offense?
They’ve scored five or fewer runs in 14 straight games, struggling to convert chances.

When will Spencer Strider return?
Strider threw a 65-pitch simulated game and may return next week during Washington’s home series.

Where can I get betting predictions for the game?
Head to our MLB Picks Page for daily odds breakdowns and expert selections.