The Washington Nationals will look to sweep the Atlanta Braves in a three-game series when the two teams do battle at 1:05 p.m. at Nationals Park. The Nationals have won four games in a row and will look for No. 5, as well as a series sweep against one of the best teams in the National League.
Chien-Ming Wang will make his second start after returning from shoulder surgery to pitch in the majors for the first time since 2009. His first start did not go so well, as he gave up six runs in four innings in an 8-5 loss to the New York Mets last Friday. Twenty-four year old Brandon Beachy will be Wang's opponent.
The Nationals' success in this series is tied to Rick Ankiel, who has three home runs, including a grand slam, in the last two games. He will be rewarded by hitting leadoff once again. Here is the Nationals' lineup.
- Rick Ankiel (CF)
- Danny Espinosa (2B)
- Ryan Zimmerman (3B)
- Michael Morse (1B)
- Jayson Werth (RF)
- Laynce Nix (LF)
- Ian Desmond (SS)
- Jesus Flores (C)
- Chien-Ming Wang (P)