Atlanta @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 23, 2011 ) Atlanta 7, Washington 4

THE STORY: The Atlanta Braves' drive for the National League wild card continues with rookie Brandon Beachy on the mound in the second of a three-game series against Washington at Nationals Park on Saturday. The Braves increased their lead over the St. Louis Cardinals to three games and reduced their magic number to clinch a playoff berth to three. Atlanta beat Washington 7-4 on Friday while St. Louis lost to Chicago 5-1. The Nationals also have something to play for: They can finish above .500 if they win their final five games. Atlanta leads the season series 9-7.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Brandon Beachy (7-2, 3.58 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Chien-Ming Wang (4-4, 4.31).

Beachy's pitch count got out of control in his last start and he was yanked after 4 1/3 innings against the Mets. The rookie tied his season high with five walks and threw 105 pitches in a game that was eventually unraveled by the normally reliable Atlanta bullpen. Beachy leads rookie pitchers with 160 strikeouts. He has received no-decisions in his last four starts, all Atlanta losses. He is 1-0 against the Nationals this year, allowing four runs in five innings. Wang won his last start, allowing three runs in 6 2/3 innings against the Marlins, for his first victory since Aug. 16. His endurance has been slow to return as he has not thrown more than 6 1/3 innings in 10 starts. Wang hasn't walked a batter in his last three starts. This will be his third start of the season against the Braves. He is 0-2 and allowed 10 runs (six earned) in 10 2/3 innings.

ABOUT THE BRAVES (89-68): Dan Uggla snapped a two-game hitless streak by going 3-for-4 on Friday and is 5-for-6 in his career against Washington phenom Stephen Strasburg. Alex Gonzalez missed another game with a strained calf, but is expected to play Saturday. Reliever Jonny Venters allowed a home run Friday, only his second of the season and first since June 29. The Braves were concerned when Tim Hudson lost his effectiveness Friday after making a tough fielding play and had to leave the game in the sixth inning. Hudson was taken to the hospital, but was diagnosed with neck cramps because of dehydration and should not miss his next turn.

ABOUT THE NATIONALS (76-80): Wilson Ramos is 10-for-23 over his last six games and raised his average to .269. Ian Desmond is hitting .278 (56-for-201) in 45 games as a leadoff hitter. He was 2-for-4 on Friday. Desmond hits 37 points higher at leadoff than he does in the No. 2 spot. The Nationals said Strasburg will pitch the final game of the season Wednesday in Florida. Manager Davey Johnson wants Strasburg to get an extra start.

FINAL PITCH: The news regarding pitchers wasn’t good for Atlanta. Tommy Hanson felt some pain in his right shoulder during his rehab session and stopped throwing after two innings. He will try another side session in a few days. Reliever Peter Moylan, who just returned from back surgery, was diagnosed with a torn labrum and rotator cuff and won’t pitch again this season.