ATLANTA – Greetings from about 20 minutes outside of Downtown Atlanta, where the Nationals arrive for their first series against the Braves in 2025. The Nats didn’t have a lot going for them during a 1-5 homestand, so they’ll look to turn things around on the road, where they’re 7-12 on the season.

Davey Martinez needs a strong outing from Jake Irvin, as the Nats search for the first quality start from their starting pitcher since the nightcap of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Guardians. Irvin is 2-1 with a 3.94 ERA and 1.146 WHIP in eight starts. The right-hander dominated the Braves last year, going 2-0 with a 1.16 ERA, 0.900 WHIP and 22 strikeouts over four starts. That included a 1.59 ERA, 1.059 WHIP and 13 strikeouts in two starts here at Truist Park.

Meanwhile, the offense – which only scored three runs over the weekend against the Cardinals – will try to heat up against Grant Holmes. The 29-year-old right-hander is 2-3 with a 4.58 ERA and 1.246 WHIP in eight games (seven starts) in his second year in the majors. He was charged with four runs in 5 ⅓ innings in his last start against the Reds. He’s also been prone to the longball this year, so the Nats should look to take him deep in his first start against them.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: Truist Park
Gametime: 7:15 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: The Team 980, DC 87.7 (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 73 degrees, wind 7 mph in from left-center field

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
LF James Wood
1B Nathaniel Lowe
C Keibert Ruiz
2B Luis García Jr.
DH Josh Bell
RF Dylan Crews
3B José Tena
CF Jacob Young

RHP Jake Irvin

BRAVES
LF Alex Verdugo
3B Austin Riley
1B Matt Olson
DH Marcell Ozuna
CF Michael Harris II
C Sean Murphy
2B Ozzie Albies
RF Eli White
SS Nick Allen

RHP Grant Holmes