In past years, the Atlanta Braves have dominated the Washington Nationals in the National League East race. However, this year is different. Washington is sitting at the top of the leader while Atlanta struggles for position. The Braves are coming off getting swept by the Philadelphia Phillies and are in need of a real bounce back as their history against the Nationals should help in a three-game series.
Atlanta has won 22 of their last 29 games against the Nationals which includes 10 of the last 13 on the road. Currently, the Nationals have a 1 ½-game lead on both the Braves and Miami Marlins, but this weekend could change that. The Braves will send Gavin Floyd to the mound for help as the Braves starters' have struggled recently. Floyd has pitched well on the road with a 2.31 ERA in four starts, but is only 1-2 thanks to just seven runs of support. He might not get much more than that as the Braves are barely getting the bats moving right now.
Washington will send Jordan Zimmermann to the mound as the right-hander as been surging lately. He has not allowed one run in his last 25 innings while pitching back-to-back complete games. He gave up just three hits on Friday to the St. Louis Cardinals, but recorded the loss when the offense put up just two runs. He is 3-1 with a 2.98 ERA in eight starts against the Braves.
Right now, Atlanta is trying to ride the success of Evan Gattis. The catcher is on a 17-game hit streak while hitting his eighth home run on Wednesday. Washington has their own hot bat. Anthony has gone 4 for 9 with two doubles and home run in two wins over the Nationals. He is leading the offense that has won seven of eight games at home while batting .429.