ATLANTA – The Nationals need a win and they need it badly. It doesn’t matter how they get it. Whether it’s via a blowout or by one run, they just need to come out on top of the Braves to stop this six-game losing streak.

After Jake Irvin turned in the Nats’ first quality start since Tuesday in the series opener last night, Davey Martinez will turn to Michael Soroka in hopes he'll repeat the feat tonight. Soroka makes his first start at Truist Park, which he called home for the first six years of his career, since the Braves traded him to the White Sox in November 2023.

The emotions could be high for the right-hander as he faces his old team, with which his once-promising career was derailed by injuries. Soroka is 8-6 with a 4.67 ERA and 1.311 WHIP in 20 appearances (19 starts) in Atlanta. He made a strong start in his return from the injured list last week, shutting out the Guardians over five innings before ultimately being charged with four runs after the sixth got away from him.

We know the Nats’ issues at the plate. They’ll try again to correct them against right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach, who is 1-3 with a 3.42 ERA and 1.099 WHIP in eight starts.

Roster move: The Nats placed Luis García Jr. on the paternity list this afternoon and recalled Trey Lipscomb from Triple-A Rochester.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: Truist Park
Gametime: 7:15 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 The Fan, DC 87.7 (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Chance of few showers, 72 degrees, wind 7 mph in from right field

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

RHP Michael Soroka

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

RHP Spencer Schwellenbach