Washington @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 7, 2013 ) Atlanta 6, Washington 3

When the schedule was announced in the offseason, a mid-August series between the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals looked like an event to be circled. Instead, when the Braves host the Nationals for the start of a three-game series on Friday, they have no chance of exiting the series without a huge lead in the National League East. Atlanta will kick off the set with a 14 1/2-game cushion over Washington.

The Nationals had a five-game winning streak come to an end on Thursday and are 9 1/2 games behind the Cincinnati Reds for the second NL wild-card spot. Washington was on the verge of crawling back to .500 on Thursday before a blown save shoved them back to 59-61. The Braves have won 17 of their last 19 games thanks to a pitching staff that has allowed an average of 2.4 runs in that span.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), FSN South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Taylor Jordan (1-3, 4.14 ERA) vs. Braves LH Alex Wood (2-2, 2.78)

Jordan has failed to make it through six innings in either of his last two starts, allowing a total of eight runs in 10 1/3 frames. The 24-year-old rookie is coming up on his innings limit for the season and has been watched closely by the organization. Jordan will make his first start against Atlanta and is 0-2 with a 4.22 ERA in four road starts.

Wood is going for his fourth straight quality start and held the opposition to a total of two hits in each of his last two turns. The 22-year-old is new to the starting rotation but is keeping teams off balance with a funky delivery to go with a fastball-changeup combination. Wood is facing the Nationals for the first time and owns a 1-1 record with a 2.39 ERA at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Braves have taken 10 of the 13 meetings in 2013.

2. Washington RF Jayson Werth has recorded multiple hits in five of his last seven games.

3. Atlanta RHP Jordan Walden (thumb) expects to be ready Friday after missing the last four games.

PREDICTION: Braves 6, Nationals 3