Atlanta @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 6, 2013 ) Atlanta 2, Washington 1

The Atlanta Braves have 48 games remaining in the regular season, but the focus for the runaway National League East leader is steadily shifting toward October. The Braves conclude a three-game series Wednesday at Washington looking to extend a 12-game winning streak and a commanding 14½ game advantage over the Nationals, whose season has buckled under high expectations. Atlanta rallied again Tuesday for a 2-1 victory, earning its major-league leading 37th come-from-behind win of the season.

Jordan Zimmermann gets the start for Washington, and will try again for his National League-leading 14th victory while handing the Braves their first loss since July 25. The Nationals finished with five hits Tuesday and struck out 10 times, including the final six hitters. Atlanta starts Kris Medlen as it aims for its 11th series sweep of the season, and 10th victory in 13 tries against Washington.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), MASN 2 (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Kris Medlen (8-10, 3.85 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Jordan Zimmermann (13-6, 3.06)

Medlen has rebounded from a 1-6 start, beating the Cardinals and Phillies in his past two outings. The 27-year-old allowed four runs on six hits in six innings Friday at Philadelphia, the fourth time in his past five starts Medlen has allowed four earned runs or more. Medlen surrendered three runs on seven hits in seven innings to lose to the Nationals on May 2.

Zimmermann sat at 12-3 on July 1, only to drop three straight outings before beating Milwaukee with six shutout innings of four-hit pitching Friday. He recorded one of his best games of the season in his lone 2013 appearance against Atlanta, holding the Braves to two hits with eight strikeouts in eight shutout innings May 1. The 27-year-old is 9-2 in 13 home starts with a 2.83 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Medlen has identical 4-5 records at home and on the road, but his road ERA is substantially higher (4.43 on the road; 3.23 at home).

2. Nine of the 12 games between the Braves and Nationals this season have been decided by two runs or less.

3. Atlanta batters are hitting .200 against Zimmermann with 15 strikeouts in 85 at-bats.

PREDICTION: Braves 3, Nationals 1