How do Nats keep up the offense with Braves coming to town?

For two days over the weekend, the Nationals looked like the kind of offensive club Davey Martinez envisioned all along.

They jumped on opposing starters, taking early leads and then expanding them. They delivered singles and doubles with runners in scoring position. They blasted multiple home runs. They even drew a few walks.

And because of all that, they twice led the Orioles by seven runs before the second inning came to an end, setting them on course to win both games with relative ease and complete a three-game sweep at Camden Yards.

So, what was the difference?

“We were aggressive in the zone,” Martinez said. “We took some pitches. We worked good counts. And when we got the ball in the zone, we swung the bats really well.”

It’s all the stuff Martinez and hitting coach Darnell Coles had been preaching for weeks but hadn’t been seeing in action nearly enough. The Nats entered Saturday’s game having failed to score more than two runs against any of the last eight opposing starters they faced, a streak of offensive futility that left them facing an uphill climb every single night.

That finally wasn’t the case Saturday against Kyle Gibson or Sunday against Zach Eflin. But the question now is: How do the Nationals keep doing that against their upcoming opponents, who admittedly look more daunting on paper?

The Braves come to town for the next three nights. It’s a rematch of last week’s four-game series in Atlanta, which saw the Nats go 1-3 and continue to struggle to string together hits of consequence against starting pitchers.

“I think we had some opportunities last time we played them that we just fell short on,” outfielder Dylan Crews said. “And I think this time around, we just need to capitalize off their mistakes, get guys over when we need to, get guys in when we need to and play lockdown defense. I think we did a great job of that this series. Let’s keep it moving forward.”

The Nationals are scheduled to face only one Braves starter they saw last week: AJ Smith-Shawver, who held them to one unearned run and two hits over six innings. Trouble is, the two new faces they’re going to see are as intimidating as they get.

Thursday’s series finale features a showdown between left-handed aces, with MacKenzie Gore on the mound for the Nats and Chris Sale for the Braves. And tonight’s series opener sees the return of Spencer Strider after his latest stint on the injured list.

Strider hasn’t pitched regularly in the big leagues since 2023, when he led the National League in wins (20) and strikeouts (281). He’s pitched only three times since, having needed Tommy John surgery in April 2024 and then straining his hamstring after his much-anticipated return last month. The 26-year-old flamethrower is finally ready to go again, and that means one thing for the Nationals.

“Get ready to hit the fastball,” Martinez cautioned.

The good news: The Nats generally hit fastballs well. Their .290 batting average against them is third-best in the majors, with their .469 slugging percentage ranking fourth.

The bad news: The Nats generally don’t hit other pitches well. Their .186 batting average against breaking balls ranks 28th out of 30 clubs, while their .316 slugging percentage ranks 27th.

Strider may be known for his upper-90s fastball, but he’s enjoyed his most success when throwing his mid-80s slider. When last he was fully healthy in 2023, opponents hit just .154 and slugged just .269 off that sharp breaking ball.

* MASN announced today it will begin televising select minor league games over the remainder of the season, including several Nationals affiliates.

Here's the broadcast schedule for Nats minor league affiliates:

May 28 - Triple-A: Rochester vs. Columbus, 11 a.m., MASN, MASN+
June 26 - Single-A: Wilmington vs. Hudson Valley, 6:30 p.m., MASN, MASN+
July 4 - Single-A: Fredericksburg vs. Delmarva, 5 p.m., MASN2, MASN+
July 6 - Single-A: Fredericksburg vs. Delmarva, 6 p.m., MASN, MASN+
July 9 - Triple-A: Rochester vs. Worcester, 1 p.m., MASN, MASN+
July 20 - Single-A: Fredericksburg vs. Lynchburg, 6 p.m., MASN, MASN+
Aug. 17 - Single-A: Fredericksburg vs. Salem, 6 p.m., MASN2
Sept. 4 - Single-A: Wilmington vs. Aberdeen, 6:30 p.m., MASN