The Atlanta Braves are trying to keep pace at the top of the National League East as they continue to battle it out with the Washington Nationals. Currently sitting one game back for the lead, the Braves are hoping to finish their series against the Miami Marlins on a high note as Washington sits idle for the night. With Aaron Harang on the mound, that might just happen.

Harang has not lost in five starts. He is currently 9-6 on the season with a 3.36 ERA, tied for lead in team wins with Julio Teheran and Ervin Santana as all three pitchers continue to pitch at least six innings. Harang has allowed just two earned runs or fewer in 15 of his last 20 starts. He is 4-0 with a 2.12 ERA in his last five starts and is getting the run support to keep the streak going. He is coming off a 103-pitch performance with three walks in six innings during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

While the Braves' pitchers are holding their own, a surging Freddie Freeman is also helping. The first baseman was 3 for 31 over his last eight games while going 0 for 8 in the last series. However, Freeman has found his form hitting a three-run homer in Wednesday's win. He is 3 for 47 against the Marlins this season. He is 5 for 12 with three doubles and a homer against Henderson Alvarez who is getting the nod on Thursday.

Alvarez scared the team in his last start after he exited early with a bruised left shin. He allowed two runs in three innings, his shortest start of the year. Against the Braves, Alvarez is 0-2 with a 6.67 ERA in five career starts which could spell trouble as the two teams look to split the series.

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