The Washington Nationals come into Atlanta on Tuesday night in a state of still finding themselves and their offense. The Nationals had Monday off to think about what they can do to avoid what happened in the last game in Florida on Sunday, when they were blanked 8-0 by the Florida Marlins and no-hit for seven innings of play.
If the Nationals are hoping to use their time in Atlanta as a learning experience, they have chosen a classroom that will not be friendly to them. The Atlanta Braves are 10-9 at Turner Field this year and will be throwing out starter Tim Hudson (4-2, 2.86 ERA) to stifle the Nationals. Hudson is coming off a one-hit shutout of the Milwaukee Brewers, and a day of rest that should have the right hander ready and raring to go.
The Nationals are throwing out a fierce competitor of their own in Jason Marquis (3-1, 3.66 ERA) who is arguably the Nationals' best right handed pitcher this season. Marquis will be burning with the fires of redemption, as he is coming off his worst start of the season against the Philadelphia Phillies, where he gave up seven runs in five innings and was tagged with a nasty loss. The Nationals are hoping having a day of rest themselves after a streak of 16 consecutive games played without a day off is enough to recharge their offense and their push to get up the NL East standings.
NATIONALS LINEUP
Roger Bernadina - CF
Ian Desmond - SS
Jayson Werth - RF
Adam LaRoche - 1B
Wilson Ramos - C
Laynce Nix - LF
Danny Espinosa - 2B
Jerry Hairston Jr. - 3B
Jason Marquis - SP