Game 10 lineups: Nats vs. Braves

It's one thing to lose five in a row. It's another thing to lose five in a row to the two division rivals that currently sit above you in the standings. That has added a bit of significance to the Nationals' current slide, which leaves them at 4-5 overall and 3 1/2 games behind the Mets, two games behind the Braves (the two teams they've faced the last five games, it just so happens).

Well, after losing two of three at SunTrust Field last week, the Nats get another crack at Atlanta the next three days. It begins with tonight's series opener at still-frigid Nationals Park and with Max Scherzer on the mound. Scherzer was surprisingly hit around by the Braves last week, giving up five runs in five innings (including a three-run shot by Preston Tucker). He should be particularly motivated when he takes the mound tonight.

Julio Teheran knows a thing or two about getting hit around by the Nationals, none more so than a certain Bryce Harper, who is 18-for-39 with eight homers, 19 RBIs, seven walks and only five strikeouts in his career against the right-hander. Harper has homered in six of his last seven games (one of those off Teheran). Might be a good "Pick to Click" this evening.

ATLANTA BRAVES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Cloudy, 48 degrees, wind 8 mph right field to left field

NATIONALS
SS Trea Turner
3B Anthony Rendon
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
2B Howie Kendrick
LF Brian Goodwin
CF Michael A. Taylor
C Pedro Severino
RHP Max Scherzer

BRAVES
CF Ender Inciarte
2B Ozzie Albies
1B Freddie Freeman
RF Nick Markakis
C Kurt Suzuki
LF Preston Tucker
SS Dansby Swanson
3B Ryan Flaherty
RHP Julio Teheran