The Atlanta Braves, sitting among baseball's elite with one of the league's best records, will look to extend their winning ways this weekend when the Washington Nationals arrive for a three-game series.
Friday's game starts at 7:15 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday contests beginning at 4:10 p.m.
The Braves dominated the Nationals when the teams met in Washington in April, winning three of four games and scoring 24 runs in their victories. Bryce Elder struck out six in the series opener as Atlanta won 9-4. After losing 11-4 in game two, the Braves won the next two contests, including a 7-2 victory where rookie J.R. Ritchie pitched seven innings of two-run ball with seven strikeouts.
Atlanta bounced back from adversity last week in Miami, where the Marlins handed them a 12-0 shutout loss — their first double-digit defeat of the season. The Braves won the next three games. Chris Sale struck out eight in game three, allowing four hits and one earned run over seven innings in a 9-1 victory. Spencer Strider went 6.1 innings for the win.
The Braves' return of Ronald Acuña Jr. to the lineup adds offensive depth. He went 2-4 in the Miami series but exited Thursday's game with left-hand soreness. Manager Walt Weiss can now move catcher Drake Baldwin out of the leadoff spot with Acuña's return.
At 35-16 following the Miami series, the Braves hold a 16-8 home record at Truist Park. The team has demonstrated resilience despite injuries and shuffled lineups, suggesting the depth needed for a postseason run. With trusted starters and an offensive lineup featuring Acuña, Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson, the Braves should be favored against Washington.
