Atlanta @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Apr 5, 2014 ) Atlanta 6, Washington 2
Two of the culprits behind the Washington Nationals’ disappointing 2013 campaign were their inability to beat the Atlanta Braves and poor defense. The Nationals look to resolve both issues at home on Sunday when they try to avoid a three-game sweep by the Braves. Rookie manager Matt Williams made it a priority for Washington to clean up a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league in errors (107) and fielding percentage (.982) last year.
The Nationals followed through with only one error through their first four games, but two miscues on throwing errors by third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and left fielder Bryce Harper in Saturday’s 6-2 loss to Atlanta resulted in three unearned runs that changed the tide of the game. It also didn’t help matters that the Braves continued to get strong performances from their starters, who saw their ERA increase to 1.42 after Julio Teheran allowed two runs over seven frames. Atlanta has won 19 of the last 25 meetings between the last two National League East champions, including 10 of the last 12 in Washington.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, Fox Sports South (Atlanta), MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Alex Wood (1-0, 1.29 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Taylor Jordan (2013: 1-3, 3.66)
Wood surrendered a home run to Milwaukee’s Carlos Gomez on his first pitch of the season, but gave up only four more hits over seven innings to get the decision in Tuesday’s 5-2 victory over the Brewers. The 23-year-old was banished to the bullpen in 2013 after three rough September starts, but posted a 2-0 record and 0.90 ERA in five August turns. Wood yielded three runs (one earned) across 11 innings against the Nationals last season, but did not factor into the decision in either one of those outings.
Jordan was shut down for the season last August due to a lower back strain. The 25-year-old also suffered a broken ankle during the offseason, but earned a spot in the rotation – at least on a temporary basis – after Doug Fister strained a lat muscle in spring training. Jordan, who went 1-0 with a 3.29 ERA during exhibition play, allowed two unearned runs over six frames versus the Braves in his only career outing against them on Aug. 16.
WALK-OFFS
1. Zimmerman, who exited Saturday’s loss with soreness in his surgically-repaired right shoulder, will undergo an MRI and the team hopes to have results of the exam on Sunday.
2. The Nationals have struck out 62 batters, one shy of the most ever by a staff through the first five games of the season.
3. Braves CF B.J. Upton and LF Justin Upton combined for four hits in nine at-bats on Saturday after entering the game 2-for-31.
PREDICTION: Braves 4, Nationals 2