Atlanta @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 7, 2018 ) Atlanta 3, Washington 1

The Atlanta Braves could not have envisioned a worse start to Tuesday’s doubleheader at the Washington Nationals, but enter the third contest of a four-game series Wednesday after perhaps their biggest victory of a breakthrough season in the nightcap. Atlanta suffered two key pitching injuries in an ugly 8-3 loss in the opener but rallied after outlasting Max Scherzer in Tuesday’s finale, riding Ender Inciarte’s ninth-inning two-run triple to a 3-1 triumph.

Opening a stretch of 22 games in 20 days, the Braves lost starting pitcher Max Fried (groin) and reliever Shane Carle (shoulder) to injuries in the opener before Sean Newcomb matched Scherzer in the nightcap, and Charlie Culberson belted homers in both ends of the doubleheader. The Nationals had all the momentum after taking the first game Tuesday to pull briefly within 3 ½ games of Atlanta for second place in the National League East, but not only wasted a stellar Scherzer start but also saw closer Kelvin Herrera leave the game in the ninth inning with an undisclosed injury. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman finished 6-for-8 in the two games, teaming with red-hot right fielder Bryce Harper for back-to-back homers to help break open the opener. Washington has won nine of its past 13 games while the Braves have captured seven of their past nine contests as both teams chase Philadelphia in the NL East.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS South (Atlanta), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (8-7, 3.04 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Tommy Milone (1-0, 3.00)

Foltynewicz opened August by snapping a two-start losing streak, giving up two runs on five hits with one walk and five strikeouts in six innings Thursday against the Mets. The 26-year-old had surrendered four runs in each of his previous two starts, including a loss July 22 at Washington in which he gave up nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. Foltynewicz entered Tuesday fifth in the National League in hits per nine innings (6.921) and sixth in ERA and strikeouts per nine innings (10.496).

Milone, who posted a 7.63 ERA in 17 games a season ago, has provided the Nationals' ailing rotation a big boost in two starts so far. The 31-year-old has yet to walk a batter while striking out 15, giving up four runs on 11 hits across 12 innings in a no-decision against Miami and a victory over the Mets. Milone, who signed as a free agent last winter, went 7-4 with a 4.19 ERA in 20 starts at Triple-A Syracuse before being recalled.

WALK-OFFS

1. Inciarte, who was hitting .238 on July 21, is batting .352 with six extra-base hits and eight RBIs in his past 15 games.

2. Washington signed RHP Greg Holland before Tuesday’s doubleheader, and he struck out the side with one walk in the opener.

3. Nationals SS Trea Turner collected three hits, a run scored and an RBI in the opener after entering the doubleheader on an 0-for-9 skid.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Nationals 2