The Atlanta Braves won a tight 3-2 game last night over the Washington Nationals with Justin Upton providing the go ahead HR extending the Braves lead in the National League East to 13 1/2 games. Washington has dropped 16 of 24 scoring two runs or fewer 14 times and Atlanta hopes the Nationals offensive struggles will continue tonight in game two of this series. Teheran is 8-5 3.02 ERA overall this season for Atlanta but has posted a 1.00 ERA over his last three starts including a career high 11 K's in last outing. Teheran has an excellent pick off move and has nabbed several opponent baserunners in the past few games. Teheran is 0-1 4.50 ERA in three career starts vs. Washington however and will need to chalk up numerous K's tonight seeking some one two three innings. Gonzalez is 7-4 3.57 ERA overall this season for Washington and will try to bounce back from a previous outing where Gonzalez allowed 10 runs in three and a third Innings Pitched. Gonzalez was 4-0 2.06 ERA in 10 outings prior to most recent start and 5-0 1.92 ERA in 12 starts vs. National League. Gonzalez is 2-4 5.73 ERA in seven career games vs. Atlanta and Gonzalez's name was linked at one time with the Biogenesis scandal that resulted in numerous suspensions in MLB yesterday. Gonzalez however was not suspended and now must focus on providing the Nationals the best outing possible. David Carpenter has stepped up his performance for the Atlanta Bullpen and Craig Kimbrel should be available tonight as Atlanta seeks to keep the Nationals to two runs or fewer again. Atlanta shelled Gonzalez in Washington back in April but a re dedicated Gonzalez may be a great deal tougher to tame tonight with what should be a great pitching matchup and another potentially extremely tight Division Game. Source: ESPN MLB Preview.
