Slowly but surely the Washington Nationals are finding their way and most of that can be credited to Bryce Harper who is on a hot streak entering Saturday's matchup. With the Braves struggling to find offense right now, the Nationals are getting most of their from Harper and they aim to continue that in the afternoon rivalry game.
Harper is controlling the Nationals offense as the team aims to win their ninth game in 11. Harper is currently on a roll while being among the leaders right now with 10 homers and 25 RBIs to start the season. He has fine home runs in the past two games while being 6 for 8 at the player with 10 RBIs. In his previous nine games, the outfielder was just 6 for 31 with four RBIs and no home runs. He has certainly managed to find his form and that is something the Braves are learning the hard way. Harper has the chance to be the first player to have six home runs in three games since Hee-Seop Choi with the Dodgers. He was crucial in the win on Friday when Washington beat Atlanta 9-2.
The Braves are hoping to counter the hot streak of Harper. The team will put Julio Teheran on the mound as he is 3-1 with a 3.82 ERA this season. He gave up seven runs and two home runs in just five innings of play against Washington in his last time against the team and would love to improve off that. Teheran has struggled recently. He had a three-start stretch of going 0-1 with a 7.30 ERA while giving up six home runs in 15 innings.He did play well on Sunday, striking out six and giving up just three hits.
The Nationals will put Doug Fister on the mound for the afternoon. He is facing the Braves the second time in three starts while giving up five runs and 10 hits in his last game April 27. Against Atlanta in his career Fister is 3-1 with a 2.28 ERA in four starts.
