Braves at Nationals
If the Washington Nationals are going to climb back into the National League East race, Friday’s series opener at home against the Atlanta Braves would be a good place to start. The two-time defending division champion are sitting at .500 and in third place, 5 ½ games behind first-place Philadelphia and five games behind the Braves, but the Nationals do get pitcher Stephen Strasburg and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman back from the disabled list to start the opener.
“It starts Friday,” Washington manager Dave Martinez told reporters prior to the All-Star break, highlighting the urgency for a team that has lost nine of its past 15 games. “Friday, we’re going to come out and start playing like our hair’s on fire.” The Braves also need a strong start after losing eight of their final 11 games before the break, but remain in contention for their first postseason berth since 2013. “We did a lot of good things,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker told the media before the All-Star break in summarizing his team’s first 94 games. “Young guys have taken some huge steps forward.” Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, a leading candidate for NL MVP honors, is hitting .343 with a 1.065 OPS in 10 games against Washington this season, helping Atlanta own a 6-4 edge in the season series.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS South (Atlanta), MASN2 (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Anibal Sanchez (4-2, 2.60 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (6-6, 3.46)
Sanchez has been outstanding for Atlanta, pitching to a 2.45 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a .190 batting average in his eight starts since June 1. The 34-year-old has pitched at least six innings in all three of his July starts, allowing one run on five hits in six innings of a no-decision Friday against Arizona six days after holding Milwaukee to one run on two hits in 6 2/3 innings. Sanchez gave up two unearned runs on two hits in seven innings against the Nationals on June 3, walking one and striking out five in a no-decision.
Strasburg takes the ball for the first time since June 8 after missing a month with right shoulder inflammation, and the Nationals hope his return will stabilize a rotation that outside of Max Scherzer has been shaky at best. Strasburg, who turns 30 on Friday, gave up one earned run in nine innings across two rehab starts with Single-A Potomac, striking out 12. He struck out 10 Braves in 6 2/3 innings but gave up four runs on seven hits in a 4-0 loss on June 1, then left his next start a week later after throwing just two innings against San Francisco.
WALK-OFFS
1. Zimmerman, sidelined since May 9 with a strained right oblique, went 4-for-9 with five runs scored in three minor-league rehab games.
2. Atlanta 2B Ozzie Albies is hitting .379 with nine doubles, four homers and 21 runs scored in his past 23 games.
3. The Nationals are 15-26 since May 31, and are under .500 at home (22-24) this season.