Max Scherzer (15-7, 2.89 ERA) and Ryan Weber (1-0, 5.24 ERA) take the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Washington Nationals (79-57) and the Atlanta Braves (54-83) at Nationals Park. The Braves come into this series hoping to extend a six-game winning streak. Action begins at 4:05 p.m. ET on Monday, Sep. 5 and can be seen on MAS2 and FSSE.
Scherzer pitched 8.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering two runs, striking out 11 and walking one in a 3-2 win over the Phillies. Daniel Murphy (.340, 82 Rs, 25 HRs, 98 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. Weber went 1.1 innings, surrendering zero runs in a 13-4 defeat to the Giants in his last outing. Freddie Freeman (.294, 85 Rs, 29 HRs, 71 RBIs, 4 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Braves, going 2 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Notes
Atlanta earned its eighth shutout of the season in its last game. Washington has been shut out five times this season.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Nationals are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Braves have a 21-3 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
The Braves are coming into the game with six consecutive wins, while the Nationals currently have a losing streak of two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Braves are 42-19. The Nationals have a 60-15 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 29th, Atlanta sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 525 this season. Washington ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 646.
Ranking 29th, Atlanta is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.692). Washington ranks in the top 10 with an OPS of .757.
The Braves are 26-64 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Nationals are 45-45 when they allow at least one homer.
