Jim Riggleman – Maddux Sports

The Nationals look to make it five straight with their heralded rookie on the mound against the division-leading Braves.

Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals

Atlanta enters this series with the second-biggest division lead in the majors, leading the Phillies by 4.5 games, while having a 15.5 game advantage on tonight’s opponent. The Braves have alternated wins and losses over the past six games and managed to lose just its second series since May 10th in dropping two of three games against the Florida Marlins over the past weekend. The club left 11 runners on base in a 5-4 defeat on Sunday. “You led the other team off the hook that many times, eventually they’re going to cash in and beat you,” said third baseman Chipper Jones. From an offensive standpoint, catcher Brian McCann has been doing his part since being named the All-Star Game MVP, hitting three home runs and driving in 14 runs in his last 10 games. Atlanta is 7-4 when playing with a day off this year (+280) and the total is an even 4-4 O/U in those contests.