Atlanta @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 22, 2018 ) Atlanta 2, Washington 6

The Washington Nationals have a chance to pull closer to at least one team they are chasing in the National League East starting Tuesday, when they kick off a four-game home series with a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves. The Braves also can make a big statement this week, entering the series 1 1/2 games behind Philadelphia in the East standings and 4 1/2 games ahead of the Nationals, and a big showing by either team could help shape the division race.

The Nationals are hanging onto hope they can reenter the division race after winning eight of their past 11 games, taking three of four from Cincinnati last weekend - including a doubleheader spit Saturday. “I’m proud of the boys,” Washington manager Dave Martinez told reporters after Sunday’s 2-1 victory, in which Bryce Harper finished 2-for-4 to bump his average to .367 since the All-Star break. “They’re fighting, they’re hitting, they’re pitching. They’re doing everything right, so let’s keep it going.” The Braves also look to keep rolling after winning six of their past seven contests following a four-game losing streak, battling back twice to upend the Mets 5-4 in 10 innings Sunday on Nick Markakis’ go-ahead homer. “He’s a machine, that’s all I can say,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker told the media after Sunday’s game, in which Markakis finished 4-for-5 to raise his average to .319.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Max Fried (1-4, 3.38 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Jefry Rodriguez (0-1, 6.86)

Fried is one of a few other starting options the Braves are using to navigate a stretch of 22 games in 20 days, even though he pitched an inning in relief Saturday at New York (two hits, two strikeouts in a scoreless frame). The 24-year-old has pitched far better as a starter, posting a 2.75 ERA in four starts and striking out 11 Cardinals in his lone victory. Fried lost his last start July 28 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving up just one run and two hits with seven strikeouts in five innings of a 5-1 defeat.

The Nationals have scrambled to fill out the back end of their rotation due to injuries and poor performance, and turn to Rodriguez for his fourth start in his sixth major-league appearance. His debut came in relief against the Braves on June 3 and Rodriguez responded with four hits allowed over 4 2/3 shutout innings. It has not gone as well as a starter for Rodriguez, who owns a 9.64 ERA with 10 walks and four homers allowed over 14 innings in that role.

WALK-OFFS

1. Braves 2B Ozzie Albies is 5-for-26 in his past six games with no walks.

2. Washington SS Trea Turner did not start Sunday after going 0-for-9 in Saturday’s doubleheader.

3. Atlanta leads the season series 7-5 and have outscored Washington 52-44.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Nationals 3