There is no doubt about it: the Atlanta Braves are an imposing team. They've certainly got the pitching and offensive talent to make a run in the NL East, but one has to think that each defeat they suffer from now to the end of the season puts more and more of a damper on their chances to take the NL East and their overall morale. The Washington Nationals did a good job on Monday night on stomping on Atlanta's hopes and dreams with a 5-3 win at Nationals Park.
The last place Nationals intend to do more of the same on Tuesday night as southpaw John Lannan (7-7, 3.63 ERA) will face off against Atlanta's Derek Lowe (6-9, 4.52 ERA). Manager Davey Johnson has to feel good about having Lannan on the mound as he has racked up the second most wins against the Braves since July 2007 with seven wins. Pitcher Cole Hamels currently has the most with nine.
Johnson has penciled in center fielder Rick Ankiel for the second night in a row as Ankiel crushed two home runs against the shocked Braves on Monday. The line-up remains intact from Monday aside from the left fielder position which will be manned by Jonny Gomes instead of Laynce Nix.
The NL East rivals have played against each other 10 times and are tied 5-5 in the season series.
First pitch is at 7:05 P.M.
Nationals Line-Up
1. Rick Ankiel, CF
2. Danny Esponosa, 2B
3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B
4. Michael Morse, 1B
5. Jayson Werth, RF
6. Jonny Gomes, LF
7. Ian Desmond, SS
8. Wilson Ramos, C
9. John Lannan, P