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Atlanta Sale will take the mound Friday against the Nationals

Theo

After being shut out in Game 2 against Boston on Wednesday, the Braves’ offense, led by Marcell Ozuna, won the first game of four games played in Washington on Thursday.

Austin Riley had an RBI single, Marcell Ozuna followed with a two-run homer and the Atlanta Braves scored three runs in the eighth inning to rally for a 5-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Thursday night.

Last meeting, the Nationals won three of the Braves’ four games. Atlanta hopes to continue the strong start to the series Friday, with Chris Sale scheduled to start on the hill for the Braves (35-25, second in the NL East). Jake Irvin is designated as the starter for the Nationals (27-35, fourth in the NL East).

Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals

Washington; Friday, 6:45 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Chris Sale (8-1, 3.06 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 82 strikeouts); Nationals: Jake Irvin (3-5, 3.39 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 60 strikeouts)

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Braves -207, Nationals +171; over/under = 8 races

BOTTOM LINE: The Washington Nationals will look to end their four-game slide when they take on the Atlanta Braves.

Washington is 27-35 overall and 10-17 in home games. The Nationals are 12-25 in games when they have allowed a home run.

Atlanta is 35-25 overall and 16-13 on the road. The Braves are 26-3 in games when outscoring their opponents.

Friday’s game is the sixth time these teams have met this season. The Nationals lead 3-2 in the seasonal series.

TOP PERFORMERS: CJ Abrams leads Washington with 10 homers while hitting .456. Lane Thomas is 9 for 39 with two homers and six RBIs over the last 10 games.

Marcell Ozuna leads the Braves with a .312 batting average and has 12 doubles, 18 home runs, 28 walks and 55 RBIs. Jarred Kelenic is 10-for-31 with three RBIs over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Nationals: 3-7, .234 batting average, 4.45 ERA, led by 14 runs

Braves: 5-5, .213 batting average, 4.55 ERA, led by eight runs

INJURIES: Nationals: Trevor Williams: 15-day IL (shoulder), Josiah Gray: 15-day IL (elbow), Cade Cavalli: 60-day IL (elbow), Jose Ferrer: 60-day IL (shoulder), Mason Thompson : IL 60 days (elbow)

Braves: Jarred Kelenic: Everyday (wrist), Tyler Matzek: 60 days IL (elbow), Alex Jordan Minter: 15 days IL (hip), Ronald Acuna Jr.: 10 days IL (knee), AJ Smith-Shawver: IL of 15 days (oblique), Angel Perdomo: IL of 60 days (elbow), Spencer Strider: IL of 15 days (sprained right elbow)

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