Atlanta @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 1, 2011 ) Washington 2, Atlanta 5

THE STORY: Washington will try to continue the Atlanta Braves' trip down the road to collapse by sending overpowering young pitcher Stephen Strasburg to the mound in the first game of a three-game series at Nationals Park on Friday. The Braves have lost six of 10 and have seen their lead in the National League wild card race dwindle to two games over the Cardinals. Following a four-game sweep over Philadelphia, Washington has won five straight, eight out of 10 and begins the weekend only three games below .500. The Nationals have been tough on the Braves this season as Atlanta only leads the season series 8-7.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Tim Hudson (15-10, 3.19 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (0-0, 1.29).

Hudson had a nice bounce-back game in his last start with eight innings of shutout ball against the Mets. Hudson allowed only four hits and struck out a season-high nine batters. He has been especially tough against Washington over his career, posting a 13-3 record and 1.95 ERA in 22 starts. This season, he is 3-1 with a 2.16 ERA in four starts against the Nationals and beat them Sept. 1 when he allowed one run over six innings. Strasburg has been limited only by the number of pitches the organization allows him to throw, a maximum of 61 so far. Otherwise, he’s as sharp as he was before having to undergo Tommy John surgery a year ago. In three starts since his return, Strasburg has allowed only nine hits and two runs in 14 innings. He has recorded 11 strikeouts and has yet to allow a walk or a home run. He lost his only start to the Braves last year.

ABOUT THE BRAVES (88-68): Shortstop Alex Gonzalez is expected back in the lineup after missing the last game with a strained right calf. Gonzalez, who is batting .467 over his last eight games, left Tuesday’s game early after coming up lame while running the bases. Martin Prado’s bat is starting to come around - he has hit in nine straight games and is 12-for-38 (.316) over that stretch. The bullpen trio of Eric O’Flaherty, Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel did not pitch in the last two games of the Florida series. With an off day on Thursday they should be ready to go for the final six crucial games.

ABOUT THE NATIONALS (76-79): Danny Espinosa isn’t likely to win National League Rookie of the Year honors - Kimbrel is the heavy favorite, but he has a set a club rookie record with 21 home runs. Seven of those homers have come against the Phillies. Ivan Rodriguez, who has played only 41 games this season because of injuries, is expected to start one game against the Braves and one game in the final series with Florida. Jayson Werth is expected to return this weekend - a bruise on his right elbow kept him out of games on Wednesday and Thursday.

FINAL PITCH: Atlanta starter Jair Jurrjens, out with a sore right knee since August, threw a 50-pitch bullpen session Wednesday and is scheduled to do it again Friday in Florida. He isn’t expected to be cleared to pitch again unless the Braves reach the National League Championship Series.