<img alt="Tampa Bay Rays v. Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IzdGWGV-tv6ATKp4UZy9mOAf1_Y=/0x0:8485x5657/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73540232/2156965786.0.jpg">
Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Atlanta’s star pitcher here in 2024 is going to have to get it done again, since the Nationals figure to be a tough opponent tonight. Right after picking up a huge series win over the Philadelphia Phillies, the homestand continues for the Atlanta Braves as they get set to face off with the Washington Nationals to kick off this weekend's three-game series.
The obvious good omen that's working in Atlanta's favor is that Chris Sale will be making the start this evening. Y'all don't need me to tell you how great he's been but I'd imagine that reading it is like music to all of our ears so I will, anyways: Sale has been fantastic on the mound this season as he sports an ERA- of 63 and a FIP- of 52. Both of those stats are either at or right next to the top of the leaderboards across baseball. He's made 28 starts so far this season and he's given up three runs or less in 25 of those starts. Chris Sale has been healthy, Chris Sale has been productive and Chris Sale has usually given the Braves a chance to win the games where he's started. He's been incredible this season and I can't see that changing tonight — especially considering that he's had success in keeping Washington quiet earlier this season.
As usual, though, the main issue is whether or not the Braves are going to give Sale enough run support to take advantage of whatever he can give them on the mound tonight. Atlanta is 8-4 in Sale's last 12 starts and the Braves scored a grand total of three runs across three of those four losses. Each of those three games was a low-scoring affair where the Braves ended up losing by one run. While Sale would likely be the first to tell you that he probably should've "simply" pitched a shutout, I think we all know that Atlanta's offense is going to have to step it up if they're going to have a real shot at winning tonight.
It's not exactly going to be the easiest task in the world for the Braves to simply get offense going, however. MacKenzie Gore will be starting for the Nationals tonight and while he's had some tough times since July, he does have two starts this season where he kept the Braves quiet as the Nationals rolled to relatively comfortable wins. He racked up 17 strikeouts across 10.1 innings in those two starts and if Atlanta continues to fall victim to the strikeout bug then this could be the type of start that gets MacKenzie Gore back on the right track.
The Braves should be entering this game with something to prove to the Nationals, as well. Washington has gone 6-2 against the Braves so far this season and the six wins weren't exactly squeakers where the Nationals simply got lucky. They hit Atlanta's pitching staff early and often in those wins and were absolutely the better team in those games. With that being said, Atlanta's pitching has really started to hit their groove here in the latter portion of the season and it would honestly be a bit surprising if the Nationals came in here and continued to light up the scoreboard — especially with Chris Sale going tonight and also considering how Atlanta's bullpen has been pitching as of late.
The Nationals may be well out of contention but I'm under no illusions that this is going to be an easy game for our Braves. As currently constructed, Atlanta has to be on their A-game on any given night if they're going to win and that'll be no different if they expect to beat the Nationals tonight. Things are going in the right direction for the Braves right now and they'll have to fight to make sure that it continues moving in that particular direction.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Friday, August 23, 7:20 P.M. ET
Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
TV: Bally Sports Southeast
Streaming: MLB.tv
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan
<img alt="Tampa Bay Rays v. Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IzdGWGV-tv6ATKp4UZy9mOAf1_Y=/0x0:8485x5657/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73540232/2156965786.0.jpg">
Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Atlanta’s star pitcher here in 2024 is going to have to get it done again, since the Nationals figure to be a tough opponent tonight. Right after picking up a huge series win over the Philadelphia Phillies, the homestand continues for the Atlanta Braves as they get set to face off with the Washington Nationals to kick off this weekend's three-game series.
The obvious good omen that's working in Atlanta's favor is that Chris Sale will be making the start this evening. Y'all don't need me to tell you how great he's been but I'd imagine that reading it is like music to all of our ears so I will, anyways: Sale has been fantastic on the mound this season as he sports an ERA- of 63 and a FIP- of 52. Both of those stats are either at or right next to the top of the leaderboards across baseball. He's made 28 starts so far this season and he's given up three runs or less in 25 of those starts. Chris Sale has been healthy, Chris Sale has been productive and Chris Sale has usually given the Braves a chance to win the games where he's started. He's been incredible this season and I can't see that changing tonight — especially considering that he's had success in keeping Washington quiet earlier this season.
As usual, though, the main issue is whether or not the Braves are going to give Sale enough run support to take advantage of whatever he can give them on the mound tonight. Atlanta is 8-4 in Sale's last 12 starts and the Braves scored a grand total of three runs across three of those four losses. Each of those three games was a low-scoring affair where the Braves ended up losing by one run. While Sale would likely be the first to tell you that he probably should've "simply" pitched a shutout, I think we all know that Atlanta's offense is going to have to step it up if they're going to have a real shot at winning tonight.
It's not exactly going to be the easiest task in the world for the Braves to simply get offense going, however. MacKenzie Gore will be starting for the Nationals tonight and while he's had some tough times since July, he does have two starts this season where he kept the Braves quiet as the Nationals rolled to relatively comfortable wins. He racked up 17 strikeouts across 10.1 innings in those two starts and if Atlanta continues to fall victim to the strikeout bug then this could be the type of start that gets MacKenzie Gore back on the right track.
The Braves should be entering this game with something to prove to the Nationals, as well. Washington has gone 6-2 against the Braves so far this season and the six wins weren't exactly squeakers where the Nationals simply got lucky. They hit Atlanta's pitching staff early and often in those wins and were absolutely the better team in those games. With that being said, Atlanta's pitching has really started to hit their groove here in the latter portion of the season and it would honestly be a bit surprising if the Nationals came in here and continued to light up the scoreboard — especially with Chris Sale going tonight and also considering how Atlanta's bullpen has been pitching as of late.
The Nationals may be well out of contention but I'm under no illusions that this is going to be an easy game for our Braves. As currently constructed, Atlanta has to be on their A-game on any given night if they're going to win and that'll be no different if they expect to beat the Nationals tonight. Things are going in the right direction for the Braves right now and they'll have to fight to make sure that it continues moving in that particular direction.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Friday, August 23, 7:20 P.M. ET
Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
TV: Bally Sports Southeast
Streaming: MLB.tv
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan
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