Fresh off of their series win over the Phillies, Atlanta returns home and prepares to open a three game set with the Washington Nationals. Atlanta has won seven of its last ten games including the last two series against Milwaukee and Philadelphia. Entering play on Monday, Atlanta trails the Phillies by 3.5 games for the top spot in the National League East.
The Nationals enter the series in fourth place in the division and three games behind the Braves. Washington took two out of three from the Florida Marlins over the weekend and are 16-18 overall having gone 5-5 in their last ten.
Pitching Match-ups:
Tuesday, May 10 - 7:10 (SportSouth)
Tim Hudson (4-2, 2.86 ERA) Vs. Jason Marquis (3-1, 3.66 ERA)
Wednesday, May 11 - 7:10 (SportSouth)
Tommy Hanson (4-3, 2.63 ERA) Vs. John Lannan (2-4, 5.09 ERA)
Thursday, May 12 - 7:10 (SportSouth)
Derek Lowe (3-3, 3.22 ERA) Vs. Jordan Zimmermann (2-4, 4.10 ERA)
Projected Nationals Lineup
1. Roger Bernadina, CF
2. Ian Desmond, SS
3. Jayson Werth, RF
4. Adam LaRoche, 1B
5. Wilson Ramos, C
6. Michael Morse, LF
7. Jerry Hairston, 3B
8. Danny Espinosa, 2B
The Nationals have struggled some in May having scored just 23 runs in May while hitting .219 as a team. The absence of 3B Ryan Zimmerman who is on the DL appears to be catching up with the Nationals. Injuries and a lack of production has caused Washington to juggle their lineup somewhat in recent weeks so it wouldn't be a big surprise to see that again during this three-game set with the Braves.
For more on the series, Braves fans check out Talking Chop and Nationals fans check out Federal Baseball