After getting shut out in Game 2 against Boston on Wednesday, the Braves offense, led by Marcell Ozuna, came through to take Game 1 of the four-game set in Washington on Thursday.
Austin Riley hit a go-ahead RBI single, Marcell Ozuna followed with a two-run homer, and the Atlanta Braves scored three runs in the eighth inning to rally for a 5-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Thursday night.
In the last meeting, the Nationals took three of four games from the Braves. Atlanta hopes to continue the hot start to the series on Friday, with Chris Sale slated to get the start on the hill for the Braves (35-25, second in the NL East). Jake Irvin is penciled in to start for the Nationals (27-35, fourth in the NL East).
Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals
Washington; Friday, 6:45 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Chris Sale (8-1, 3.06 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 82 strikeouts); Nationals: Jake Irvin (3-5, 3.39 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 60 strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Braves -207, Nationals +171; over/under is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Washington Nationals will try to end their four-game slide when they play the Atlanta Braves.
Washington has a 27-35 record overall and a 10-17 record in home games. The Nationals are 12-25 in games when they have allowed a home run.
Atlanta is 35-25 overall and 16-13 on the road. The Braves are 26-3 in games when they out-hit their opponents.
Friday's game is the sixth time these teams meet this season. The Nationals are up 3-2 in the season series.
TOP PERFORMERS: C.J. Abrams leads Washington with 10 home runs while slugging .456. Lane Thomas is 9-for-39 with two home runs and six RBI over the last 10 games.
Marcell Ozuna leads the Braves with a .312 batting average, and has 12 doubles, 18 home runs, 28 walks and 55 RBI. Jarred Kelenic is 10-for-31 with three RBI over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nationals: 3-7, .234 batting average, 4.45 ERA, outscored by 14 runs
Braves: 5-5, .213 batting average, 4.55 ERA, outscored by eight runs
INJURIES: Nationals: Trevor Williams: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Josiah Gray: 15-Day IL (elbow), Cade Cavalli: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jose Ferrer: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Mason Thompson: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Braves: Jarred Kelenic: day-to-day (wrist), Tyler Matzek: 60-Day IL (elbow), Alex Jordan Minter: 15-Day IL (hip), Ronald Acuna Jr.: 10-Day IL (knee), AJ Smith-Shawver: 15-Day IL (oblique), Angel Perdomo: 60-Day IL (elbow), Spencer Strider: 15-Day IL (right elbow strain)
