The Nationals head to Atlanta to square off with the division-rival Braves after taking 2 of 3 from the Colorado Rockies. They look to play spoiler to any chance the Braves have of getting into the postseason, but the Braves just took 2 of 3 at home from the Phillies so that will be easier said than done. Even still the Nationals’ lineup is red hot and the Braves pitching staff will have their hands full trying to cool them down.
Braves vs Nationals Fantasy Starts
Jose Tena, 3B, Wahington Nationals
Tena was acquired in late July when the Nationals dealt outfielder Lane Adams to Cleveland, and although he went 0-4 in his only major league action as a Guardian he has been hitting .391 since joining the Nationals. Now is the time to ride the hot hand in fantasy, though it’s a small sample size he is one of the few nationals that seems to hit lefties well. While it’s a big ask for a young guy without much major league experience to hit one of the best lefties in the game in Sale, he is probably one of your best bets in the lineup of the nationals to start in fantasy tonight.
Adam Duval, OF, Atlanta Braves
Duval has had an awful season by all standards, while it has to be hard to get hot at the plate being in a platoon, Duval hits lefties much better than Kelenic does so he should get the start against the leftie Gore. If you add that to the fact that Duval went 3-3 at the plate last night with a home run in the win against Philly, he has a good chance to stay hot at home against the Nationals.
Travis d’Arnaud, C, Atlanta Braves
The Brave’s veteran catcher should get the start behind the plate catching for Chris Sale tonight considering his counterpart Murphy has started the last three games and d’Arnaud’s splits against lefties are far better than Murphy’s. While d’Arnaud has been cold at the plate lately Gore has been struggling lately giving up five runs in each of his last three starts, which bodes well for d’Arnaud as well as the whole Braves offense.
Braves vs Nationals Fantasy Sits
CJ Abrams, SS, Washington Nationals
Abrams has been cold at the plate as of late with a slash line of .167/ .243/ .302 in the last month. His numbers against lefties are better than righties but it’s going to be an uphill battle against one of the best pitchers in the game Chris Sale. Most of Abram’s success came earlier in the year but he’s only batting .229 against Atlanta this year with 14 strikeouts so starting him should be avoided if possible.
Joey Gallo, 1B, Washington Nationals
Gallo was just re-instated from the IL this week so you probably weren’t relying on Gallo in any capacity but in case anyone was thinking about picking him up as a hail mary for some home runs that would be highly inadvisable, especially tonight against Sale. Gallo is batting .109 against lefties this year with only one home run and is only 2-7 with one RBI after being reinstated.
Orlando Arcia, SS, Atlanta Braves
Arcia is batting .186 against lefties this season and only .150 in the last week. He only has three hits in the last week and is 0-10 with 3 K’s in his career against Mackenzie Gore.
Braves vs Nationals Pitching Matchup
Chris Sale LHP (14-3, 2.62 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 187 Ks, 140.2 IP) vs Mackenzie Gore LHP( 7-11, 4.66 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 136 Ks, 125.2 IP)
Chris Sale is in the running to win the Cy Young award with the way he is pitching this season and his having his best season since 2018. the Nationals lineup has been heating up lately but they have a tall task ahead of them with the current ace of the Braves pitching staff taking the mound in the series opener.
Mackenzie Gore has been struggling as of late allowing 15 runs in the 3 starts he’s had in August but is 2-0 this season against the Braves with a 1.74 ERA with 17 Ks. Luckily for Gore, he’s facing a Braves team that’s piecemealed together. This could easily turn into a pitching duel if trends continue for both pitchers.
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