Game 53 lineups: Nats at Braves

ATLANTA – With yesterday’s 8-4 win, the Nationals have now won the first game in seven of their eight series started this month. But they have only gone on to win two of those series, with one two-game split with the Orioles.

This four-game set with the Braves could, of course, also end in a split. But with another win tonight, the Nats would be closer to an elusive series victory.

The offense, rejuvenated by Lane Thomas’ return to the two hole, jumped all over Charlie Morton on Monday. They’ll look to do the same tonight to Max Fried, who enters 4-2 with a 3.38 ERA and 1.057 WHIP. The veteran left-hander is 7-4 with a 4.22 ERA and 1.367 WHIP in 17 career appearances (16 starts) against Washington.

The Nationals spoke last night about the need to keep their foot on the gas against a team like the Braves, whose offense can score in bunches quickly (as they did last night in cutting an eight-run lead in half in the seventh inning). Jake Irvin will be tasked with keeping Atlanta’s bats at bay. He’s 2-5 with a 3.979 ERA and 1.070 WHIP over his first 10 starts. But he gave up five runs on seven hits and three walks in just 2 ⅔ innings in his only career start against the Braves last year.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: Truist Park
Gametime: 7:20 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 The Fan, DC 87.7 (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Sunny, 83 degrees, wind 12 mph out to left-center field

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
RF Lane Thomas
1B Joey Meneses
3B Nick Senzel
DH Keibert Ruiz
LF Jesse Winker
2B Ildemaro Vargas
C Riley Adams
CF Jacob Young

RHP Jake Irvin

BRAVES
CF Michael Harris II
3B Austin Riley
DH Marcell Ozuna
1B Matt Olson
2B Ozzie Albies
C Sean Murphy
LF Jarred Kelenic
RF Adam Duvall
SS Orlando Arcia

LHP Max Fried