Atlanta Washington Series Wrap Up Braves Can Win It Nats Can Split It

The Washington Nationals finally broke through their 0-9 SU loss record vs. Atlanta last night behind Zimmerman who had only two hits in eight outstanding innings. Washington's break through win last night sets the stage for the Series Wrap Up where an Atlanta win gives the Braves the series where as a Washington win gives the Nationals a spilt. Washington's win last night also got the team back to 14-14 so a split here in Atlanta tonight also gets them back above .500 maybe an extra source of motivation for the Nationals. Run Production has been a major source of Washington's 4-6 Last 10 Record only scoring only seven runs batting .165 in last four games. Haren is 2-3 6.29 ERA and allowed two Runs and six hits in a season high six Innings Pitched in his last outing. Haren has won two of three at Turner Field despite a 7.31 ERA but those wins came in 2004 and 2005. Atlanta checks in at 17-10 also 4-6 Last 10 Record and the major source of the Braves offensive problems is the Strikeout. Atlanta has over 80 K's and only three HR's in last seven games. Medlen is 1-3 3.26 ERA and limited opponents to three Runs and 15 hits in 19 Innings Pitched in his first three starts this season. Medlen however has given up eight Runs and 17 Hits in consecutive losses with five Runs and 10 Hits in the most recent loss in Detroit. Medlen did have strong outings last year vs. Washington only allowing one Run with 20 K's in 14 Innings Pitched in two starts. LaRoche is .177 in 57 games vs. Atlanta and is 1 for 35 overall. BJ upton went 0-3 last night batting .138 and has 11 K's but 5 HR's vs. Harren. Any offensive production tonight in the Series Wrap by either Laroche or Upton will be a welcomed addition to their respective teams. Werth and Harper are struggling with nagging injuires but hunches say both will suck it up and be in lineup tonight for the final game of the series. Some off the field comments in the recent days have also added some drama to the mix. Washington broke the Braves Mojo in this matchup last night but Medlen is tough at Turner Field as Braves try and win it and Nationals try to split it in the Atlanta Washington NL East Old Rivals Series Wrap Up. Source: ESPN And USA Today MLB Preview.

Had rain off and on here in the SouthEast today so weather may play a factor tonight. Harper and Werth are in lineup according to MLB Network.

Run Support is the focus today and both the Nationals and the Braves are struggling in this department at the moment. But looking for Medlen to have a good outing at home and Braves might have better chances of scoring opportunites vs. Haren than Nationals vs. Medlen even with a banged up Harper and Werth. Haren has only gone through six innings this year last time out and expect Medlen to go deeper into game. The focus for today is Atlanta -1 -114 looking for scoring opportunites off Haren in the final game of the series. LaRoche Hits Runs RBI's Under 1 1/2 -130 with LaRoche's trend of 1 for 35 for a small Prop rounds out the night.

Haren is looking extra sharp tonight while Medlen has given up two doubles and other hits. 3-0 Washington in the fifth and looking like I picked the wrong pitcher tonight even though more baseball to go. I should have dug deeper in the numbers and I would have found as the pre game disclosed Haren's excellent BB/K ratio. It is bitten me in the ass now.

Uggla with a solo HR the only Braves run against a very tough Haren tonight. Washington splits the series with a 3-1 win with Haren and relievers holding Atlanta to five hits. Medlen got behind early and Braves were swimming upstream all game long. Washington is off to Pittsburgh with a Dewiller AJ Burnette matchup and Braves host Mets this weekend. Atlanta now will take a 3-7 Last 10 record into the Met series and still are struggling to find the offense. Atlanta had an excellent chance to gain back some momentum after the shaky road trip especially the sweep in Detroit by winning this series but two straight nights of excellent pitching by Washington shut down any those hopes. Two great performances by Zimmerman and Haren high lights the National's split while Tim Hudson 200th win in the series high lights the Braves week.