Nationals @ Braves: Game Preview (6/29)

Nationals vs Braves

7:35 PM Turner Field

MASN

Story Lines:

• Can the offense discovered in Coors carry over to Atlanta?
• After an extra innings last night and travel, will the team be ready to play?
• Battle for First Place:  Braves are 3.5 games out of first place going into tonight.

Pitching Match Up:

• Ross Detwiler
• 4-3 with a 3.09 ERA.
• Went 5 innings in his first start since bullpen duty.
• Has never surrendered a homerun to a current Braves player.

• Randell Delgado
• 4-8 with a 4.52 ERA.
• Didn't make it out of the 2nd inning last start, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits to Boston.
• Has not faced any Nationals' hitters before.  (Faced Edwin Jackson twice).

Who to Watch:

• Martin Prado
• Hitting .500 lifetime against Ross Detwiler in 13 plate appearances.
• Coming off a multi hit game against the Diamondbacks.
• Is hitting .319 on the year.

• Michael Morse
• Is the beast back?  Last night he had 2 hits, 3 RBIs, and notched his 2nd homer.
• Now that Coors Field is in the rear-view, we need our power guys to hit for power.

Keys to the Game: 

1. Work Quickly Ross.  With the long game and travel, a quick pace to today's game will be crucial.
2. 6+ Innings.  If Detwiler can get the game into the 7th, the bullpen will be his new best friend.
3. Play Ball!  We can't count on putting up huge numbers like we did against the Rockies, got to play smart baseball.