Washington @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 30, 2013 ) Washington 1, Atlanta 8

Justin Upton was the marquee player the Arizona Diamondbacks sent to Atlanta in a seven-player trade this offseason, but Chris Johnson has been just as big a part of the Braves’ success. Atlanta opens May with the third of a four-game set Wednesday against visiting Washington, and Johnson starts the season’s second month leading the National League in hitting at .369. Johnson went 2-for-5 with two runs scored as the Braves beat Washington to extend their lead into the NL East to 4 1/2 games.

Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez supply the star power in the Washington rotation, but the Nationals will look for Jordan Zimmermann to provide yet another solid start. The right-hander aims for his fifth victory of the season, and the Nationals certainly can use a boost against their NL East rival. Atlanta is 5-0 against the Nationals and has beaten Washington nine consecutive times dating to last season.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, MASN (Washington), SportSouth (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Jordan Zimmermann (4-1, 2.00 ERA) vs. Braves LH Paul Maholm (3-2, 3.30).

Zimmermann fired his first career shutout in his last start, needing just 91 pitches to one-hit the Reds on Friday. The right-hander pitched his second complete game in his past three starts, and has allowed eight earned runs in his five starts. He did not pitch against Atlanta in the Braves’ three-game sweep of Washington last month, and surrendered four runs on eight hits in five innings in his only appearance against the Braves last season.

Maholm started the season by not allowing a run in his first 25 1/3 innings and winning his first three starts. But the left-hander has scuffled in his past two starts, losing to Pittsburgh before being pounded for eight runs on 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings Friday at Detroit. Maholm beat the Nationals on April 14, giving up four hits and no runs in 7 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Nationals hope OF Jayson Werth can return to the lineup after missing Tuesday’s game with a sore left ankle and a sore right hamstring.

2. Washington C Wilson Ramos, who was activated from the disabled list Monday after missing 15 games with a left hamstring strain, went 0-for-3 Tuesday.

3. Atlanta C Brian McCann, recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, could make his season debut next week in Cincinnati.

PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Braves 1