MLB Betting: Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals Odds & Picks: July 4th 2009

Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals
Free Pick: Atlanta Braves (-121) - Sat Jul 4 ‘09 1:05p
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There was much hype about Tommy Hanson when he was in the minors. Since his recall his lived up to the hype and much more.

Hanson hasn?t allowed a run in his past three starts, and he’ll look to remain unbeaten in the big leagues when he takes the hill against the Nationals. The rookie sensation is 4-0 with a 2.48 ERA and he’s beaten all-comers including the Red Sox who he limited to two hits over six shutout innings. Did I mention Hanson was suffering from the flu when he did THAT? The right-hander hasn’t allowed a run in 20 innings a string dating back to June 12th in Baltimore, the site of his first MLB win. I can’t say it enough this guy is the real deal. One last add on Hanson; He’s the first Braves rookie since 1900 to hold his opponents scoreless in three consecutive starts.

The Braves have won five straight and look like they’re a a serious contender in the NL East. They’ve got the pitching and their offense has been going gangbusters even without an injured Nate McClouth. Just seven days ago Atlanta was ranked 26th in the Majors in runs per game but have exploded for 30 runs in their past four games. They got the bats going during a sweep of the Phllies and kept them going last night in a wild 9-8 win over Washington.

If there’s anyone on the Nationals staff who can cool down the Bravos it wold be today’s starter John Lannan. The young lefty enters with a 5-5 record and a 3.45 ERA. He’s 2-2 with a 3.30 ERA in five career starts against the Braves, including 0-1 with a 2.77 ERA this season.

As they showed on Friday night, the Nats are indeed pesky. Whether they can ‘bug’ Hanson much remains to be seen. I’m siding with the hotter pitcher and the hotter team in this D.C. showdown.