First pitch: 7:10 pm ET on SportSouth/MLB Network
Pitching Probables:
Dan Haren (WSH) 2-3, 6.29 ERA
Kris Medlen (ATL) 1-3, 3.26 ERA
Nationals Starting Lineup (career vs. Medlen):
Denard Span - CF (N/A)
Steve Lombardozzi - 2B (1-2, K)
Bryce Harper - LF (2-7, HR, RBI, BB, K)
Jayson Werth - RF (3-13, 2 2B, 2 K)
Ian Desmond - SS (3-9, 2 2B, 2 K)
Adam LaRoche - 1B (3-12, 2B, RBI, 2 K)
Anthony Rendon - 3B (N/A)
Wilson Ramos - C (0-1)
Dan Haren - P (N/A)
Braves Starting Lineup (career vs. Haren):
Jordan Schafer - RF (0-3, 2 K)
Chris Johnson - 3B (N/A)
Justin Upton - LF (1-3, K)
Freddie Freeman - 1B (N/A)
Evan Gattis - C (N/A)
Dan Uggla - 2B (2-9, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 5 K)
BJ Upton - CF (10-31, 2B, 5 HR, 5 RBI, 11 K)
Andrelton Simmons - SS (N/A)
Kris Medlen - P (N/A)
Preview:
Nationals, for the first time since August 21, 2012, beat the Braves last night 2-0 and have put themselves in the position to split the series tonight at Turner Field. Prior to last night, the Braves had won the first five meetings this season against Washington and nine straight dating back to last season. That brought the defending NL East champs to within 3.5 games of the first place Braves. Dan Haren and Kris Medlen are set to do battle for their respective ball clubs tonight in the finale of the four-game series.
Dan Haren (2-3, 6.29 ERA) had perhaps his best start of the season in his last outing against the Reds. Haren allowed two runs on six hits and struck out five over six innings. Nats won the game over the Reds, 6-3. Up until his last start, Haren had been the most inconsistent starter in the Nationals rotation, which includes a bloated ERA of over six.
Kris Medlen (1-3, 3.26 ERA) gets the ball tonight as he looks to rebound from a rough outing last Saturday against the Tigers at Comerica Park. Medlen had mechanic issues as well as having trouble locating his pitchers while surrendering a career-high five runs on ten hits, walked two, and struck out three over 5.1 innings pitched. Some run support couldn't hurt for Kris Medlen either. In five starts this season, the Braves offense has scored only 15 runs for Medlen, thus resulting in his 1-3 record.
Harper, Werth in lineup tonight for Nats:
Bryce Harper left yesterday's game in the sixth inning after feeling the effects of bruised ribs that he sustained when trying to catch Tim Hudson fly ball which went off of Harper's glove and into the seats for a home run. During his 3rd at-bat last night, he tried to check his swing and instantly winced in pain. He left the game after that inning. Harper is in the starting lineup tonight and will hit third.
Jayson Werth also returns to the lineup tonight after hitting a foul ball off his ankle in Tuesday night's game. He is also dealing with cramping in his right hamstring. Werth will bat cleanup tonight.
Big chance for BJ to come out of early season slump:
Although BJ has always been a notorious slow starter, this slow start to the 2013 season may be even lower. So far through 25 games, Upton is hitting ,138/.219/.266 3 HR and 5 RBI. No need to worry, BJ will snap out of slump soon and could happen tonight. In his career against Dan Haren, BJ is .323 (10-for-31) with 5 HR and 5 RBI.
Side note:
In six career starts against the Braves, Haren is 4-2 with a 6.17 ERA. Although, he has struggled against the Atlanta, he has always gotten plenty of run support.
Kris Medlen is 2-1 with a 1.67 ERA in 11 appearances (2 starts) against the Nationals in his career.
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