The Washington Nationals (25-37) are on the road to face the Atlanta Braves (39-24) at Truist Park on Saturday. The Braves took Friday’s series opener 3-2, their sixth straight victory overall and third in four games against the Nationals this season.
Reliever Kirby Yates was credited with the win after throwing one scoreless inning, and Raisel Iglesias picked up his ninth save with a scoreless ninth. Eddie Rosario went 2 for 4 with one run in the win. Luis Garcia was 2 for 4 with one RBI for the Nationals.
ON THE MOUND
MacKenzie Gore (3-4, 3.66 ERA) is set to start for Washington. The left-hander allowed three runs over six innings in his last start, a 4-2 road defeat against the Phillies on June 3. He was charged with the loss, giving up nine hits while striking out six.
Gore has made one previous start against the Braves this season, a 4-1 home victory on April 2. He surrendered one run on three hits over 5.1 innings, striking out six and walking four.
LHP Jared Shuster (2-2, 4.99 ERA) gets the ball for Atlanta. He has made one prior start against the Nationals this season, giving up four runs over 4.2 innings in a 4-1 road defeat on April 2. He gave up six hits and walked five while striking out one in the loss.
In his last start on May 31, Shuster got the win on the road against the Athletics. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up two runs on three hits, striking out one and walking four in the 4-2 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Washington has averaged only 2.8 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.2, while slashing worse across the board (.227/.267/.319). Against lefties like Shuster this season, the Nats have a .787 OPS.
Lane Thomas is the team’s best performer against left-handers with a 1.048 OPS in 75 at-bats. Atlanta is averaging 7.4 runs per game in the last five, up from 5.2 for the season, with a better slash line (.348/.399/.556).
The Braves have a .910 OPS against left-handers in 2023, the highest in MLB. With a 1.170 OPS over 68 at-bats, Ozzie Albies has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Washington is 13-16 in away games in 2023, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Atlanta has won five in a row at Truist Park.
The Braves are 19-14 at home this season, averaging 5.1 runs per game while surrendering 4.8. In the last 10 meetings at Truist Park, Atlanta is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 5.2-3.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Braves lead the NL East by four games over the Marlins. The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, 13 games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves (-190)
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