Atlanta @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 12, 2013 ) Atlanta 6, Washington 4

Stephen Strasburg has experienced plenty of success since splashing onto the major-league scene in 2010, but Atlanta has more than held its own against the Washington ace. Strasburg makes his eighth career start against the Braves on Saturday at Nationals Park, looking to improve on a 3-3 career mark and a 4.17 ERA against the Nationals' chief National League East rival. Strasburg posted all three of those victories last season, but his 4.10 ERA against Atlanta was his third-highest against any team in 2012.

The Nationals need a positive performance from Strasburg to erase the bitter memory of Friday’s series opener, which Atlanta won 6-4 in 10 innings after trailing 4-0 through six innings. Atlanta’s bullpen allowed the Braves to chip away, continuing its great work in the early days of the season. Four Atlanta relievers combined to allow just two hits and no runs in the final four innings, while three Washington relievers allowed five hits, five runs and walked five in three innings.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Tim Hudson (1-0, 3.27 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (1-1, 4.38).

Hudson aims for his 199th career victory, and the right-hander rebounded from a shaky Opening Day start for a solid effort against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. Hudson held the Cubs to one earned run on three hits in 6 2/3 innings. A 16-game winner last season, Hudson went 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA in three starts against Washington.

With no innings limit inhibiting him this season, Strasburg fired seven shutout innings in an Opening Day victory over the Marlins. But Cincinnati pounded the right-hander for six earned runs on nine hits in just 5 1/3 innings Sunday. Strasburg is 22-11 with a 3.00 ERA in 47 career starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington OF Bryce Harper continues his hot start. Harper hit his fifth homer of the season Friday, moving the 20-year-old within one of Atlanta OF Justin Upton for the NL lead.

2. The Braves placed RHP Cristhian Martinez on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain before Friday’s game, allowing Atlanta to add newly acquired reliever Luis Ayala to the 25-man roster.

3. Atlanta rookie Evan Gattis played first base for the first time in his brief major-league career Friday, going 0-for-4 but making a nice play to retire Danny Espinosa to end the eighth.

PREDICTION: Nationals 3, Braves 2