Stephen Nover's Run Line Big Ticket
(MLB) Washington vs. Atlanta,
Point Spread: -1.50 | -114.00 Washington (Away)
Result: Loss
The Nationals have lost three straight. They are in stop-the-pain mode and have just the pitcher to do that - Max Scherzer.

Scherzer is the best right-hander in the National League. He's having another outstanding season this year going 4-2 with a 2.80 ERA and 0.95 WHIP, second-best in the NL. The Nationals' bullpen has been shaky but should be better now with several late-inning relievers coming off the DL. Scherzer figures to pitch deep into the game, anyways, against a lackluster Atlanta lineup missing its best player, injured Freddie Freeman. Opponents are batting less than .200 against Scherzer.

Scherzer dominated the Braves when he faced them a month ago at their new SunTrust Park giving up two hits in seven scoreless innings. The Nationals won that game, 3-1. Scherzer is 5-0 with a 3.12 ERA against Atlanta going back to last season.

This is a real pitching mismatch as the Braves are going with Bartolo Colon, who turns 44 on Wednesday. Colon has really looked his age pitching for the Braves going 2-4 with a 6.80 ERA. Colon is facing a Nationals offense that leads the majors in runs, batting average and is No. 2 in homers.

Washington has dominated this series winning 18 of the past 23 times. I believe this is a kill spot for the Nationals so I'm laying them on the run line in order to avoid paying such hefty juice.