House That Hank Built
Fansided

Series Preview: Atlanta Braves take on Washing Nationals for the 1st time

By Matthew Browning

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 23: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals slides into third with a triple as Todd Frazier #21 of the New York Mets awaits the tag during their game at Citi Field on May 23, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 23: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals slides into third with a triple as Todd Frazier #21 of the New York Mets awaits the tag during their game at Citi Field on May 23, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 27: Manager Dave Martinez #4 of the Washington Nationals argues a call in the sixth inning during a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park on May 27, 2019 in Washington. DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 27: Manager Dave Martinez #4 of the Washington Nationals argues a call in the sixth inning during a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park on May 27, 2019 in Washington. DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

After finishing a seven-game road trip Sunday that culminated in a 5-2 record, the Atlanta Braves take on the Washington Nationals for the first time this year beginning Tuesday.

Since the Atlanta Braves were swept in Los Angeles three weeks ago, they have been arguably the best team in the National League.

They have won their last four series and have won 12 of their past 16 games.

While the offense has been at the very explosive (5.2 runs per game in that span), the starting rotation has been the difference.

In those 16 games, the rotation is 9-1 with a 1.68 ERA and that number would be significantly lower if not for Mike Foltynewicz’s eight earned run start against the Cardinals.

Mike Soroka, Max Fried and Julio Teheran have been outstanding, Foltynewicz has been getting better and Kevin Gausman has been adequate as the No. 5 starter.

For the first time this year, the Braves face the train wreck that is the Washington Nationals.

While the Nationals are coming off a 2-1 series win while hosting the Miami Marlins.  Monday’s game should have completed a sweep, except that the Nats defense reared its ugly head again, giving up 2 late unearned runs to waste yet another Max Scherzer outing (he’s 2-5 despite a 3.26 ERA).

Such has been the problems of the Nationals as the first two months of the season have a been a major disappointment for a team that was considered a leading contender in the NL East.

Before this, the Nationals lost two of three to the Cubs then were swept in four games by the Mets.

Washington has been especially putrid on the road as they have a record of 9-17.  Their overall run differential is -30, which is 21st in the big leagues.

Offensively, the Nationals are very pedestrian. They are 15th in average, 16th in home runs and 17th in runs scored.

The top of the rotation of Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin has been okay, as they are a combined 11-10 with a 3.41 ERA, but the main problem for the Nationals has been their bullpen, which is last in all of baseball in ERA at 4.89.

The bullpen has blown 11 saves and allowed 29 home runs.  As of Sunday the ugly numbers include a .289 batting average and an .869 OPS.

Only the Cleveland Indians have a say on being the most disappointing team in baseball, but even then, they have nothing on the Nationals.

On to the pitching match-ups.

Home/Braves News