The Washington Nationals are mired in a 4-game losing streak. Another winnable game on Wednesday was just a 1-run deficit until the bullpen gave away another three. No easy task this weekend as the red hot Braves just swept the Mets in three games in which the team from New York had at least 3-run leads in each game.
Tonight, it is Josiah Gray who steps in as the stopped and the Nats pitcher with the best ERA numbers. He is pitching on two days of extra rest and he will face a Braves pitcher who will make his first career start. That starter, AJ Smith-Shawver, began his season in High-A in Rome, Georgia and is now in the big leagues.
“ For me, it is about them going out there and competing.”
— manager Dave Martinez
The Nats starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.52 for 18th best in MLB. The Nats are just 0.46 from 10th best in MLB in ERA. The Nats enter this game tied with Arizona for starter’s ERA.
Here is how they rank:
No. 5 Starter: Jake Irvin 5.81 ERA
No. 4 Starter: Patrick Corbin 4.89
No. 3 Starter: Trevor Williams 4.15
No. 2 Starter: MacKenzie Gore 3.66
No. 1 Starter: Josiah Gray 3.09
Here is your Baseball Savant Statcast link for the game.
Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves
Stadium: Truist Park, Georgia
1st Pitch: 7:20 pm EDT
TV: MASN
Radio: 106.7 The Fan radio and via the MLB app
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
