The Atlanta Braves will host the defending World Series Champions today at 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT for entry in the NLDS where they will face the Washington Nationals.

It is a win or go home situation for both teams as they were only able to capture the Wild Card spots, finishing second in their respective divisions.

The Braves will send their current ace, Kris Medlen, to the mound and he will face Kyle Lohse who won 16 games in the season while only dropping three of his 33 decisions this year.

It will be about pitching in this game as Medlen has shutdown opposition when he starts. He has relegated comparisons to hall of famer Greg Maddux.

News has already spread that Brian McCann, the Braves' pitcher will not be in the game. Instead, the Braves will send back-up David Ross to the mound. In 2012, Ross is hitting .256 with 9 homers and 23 RBI. He would probably be a starter in any other team, but Ross has decided to take a pay cut to remain with the Braves.

For the Cardinals, they will be defending their World Series title. Their middle of the lineup has heated up as of late with Carlos Beltran, Allen Craig, David Freese and Matt Holliday have four homers, 21 RBI while hitting .294 in their last 10 games.

It will be interesting to see who picks up the offense for Braves. Jason Heyward and Dan Uggla have been the strongest bats for the team down the stretch.

The Braves won five of the six games they played against the Cardinals this season and hurt Lohse smacking five runs in five innings off of the ace back in May.

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