Atlanta @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 7, 2018 ) Atlanta 3, Washington 8

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 split 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: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Southeast (Atlanta), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Sean Newcomb (10-5, 3.23 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (15-5, 2.33)

Newcomb goes on eight days rest after throwing 134 pitches while chasing a no-hitter on July 29 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a bid that ended with two strikes and two outs in the ninth. The 25-year-old started July by allowing five runs in each of his first two starts, but has posted a 2.21 ERA in his three starts since with five runs allowed in 20 1/3 innings. Newcomb is 1-1 in two starts against Washington this year, surrendering seven earned runs and nine hits in 11 1/3 innings.

Scherzer is fashioning his typical Cy Young-worthy season, leading the National League in wins, innings pitched (154 2/3), strikeouts (210) and WHIP (0.91). The 34-year-old lost four times in five starts from June 10 to July 2 despite posting a 2.73 ERA in that span, but has won each of his past five starts while striking out 36 and giving up 27 hits in 34 innings. Scherzer is 2-1 in three starts against Atlanta this season with a 1.80 ERA, striking out 24 in 20 innings.

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: Nationals 4, Braves 1