Once again, the Atlanta Braves have dropped the opening game of their series with the Washington Nationals. The Braves are quickly dropping out of the postseason race as they hit a rough patch late in the year while the Nationals are preparing to clinch their second National League East title in three years. The Braves are still in the running for the wild card spot, but must start swinging the bats better if they actually want to see the playoffs.
The Nationals are comfortable right now. They are sitting eight games over the Braves for the top spot in the National League while looking to win their fifth game of the past seven. They continue to kill the Braves chances at making the playoffs as Atlanta sits tied with Milwaukee and 1 ½ games back from Pittsburgh. Things got worse when Washington got the 2-1 win on Monday continuing to expose the weak Atlanta offense. The Braves are batting .192 during a 3-6 stretch. They have just two runs and a .140 average in three losses at Washington who has taken the last four of six from their NL East rivals.
The Nationals will put Jordan Zimmermann on the mound as he continues to win over the Braves. Against Atlanta, he has allowed three runs while striking out 15 in the last 12 innings in two starts. In his last start against the Braves, Zimmermann allowed just two runs over seven innings. In his last six home starts, he is 3-0 with a 2.30 ERA while being 4-0 with a 2.30 ERA in his past seven starts overall.
The Braves will counter with Ervin Santana who is leading the Braves in wins with a 7-1 record and 2.94 ERA in his last 10 starts. He has gone at least six innings in nine of those 10 outings. He will face the hot bats of Washington, being led by Denard Span. He is 13 for 30 against the Braves with four doubles and two triples in his last seven games against the team. He is 12 for 30 against Santana.
The Braves are also dealing with uncertainty regarding Evan Gattis. The catcher is battling strep throat and could miss another game. He is batting .308 against the Nationals and will be needed in this game.
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