Where: Nationals Park
When: 1:05 EST
The Starters: Sheets (1-0, 0.00) vs. Jackson (5-5, 3.89)
The Line: Nats -115, Braves -105, O/U 8.5 Runs, Nats -1.5
Starters - Edwin Jackson will take the mound for the Nats tonight in hopes of helping the Nats bounce back from their worst loss of the year. After a very good start to the season that saw his era dip under 3 just 4 starts ago, he’s been terrible in his last 3 starts. He has his work cut out for him tonight against a Braves team that’s scored 11 runs in it’s last 5 innings. The Braves will counter with veteran right-hander Ben Sheets. Sheets made his first major league start since 2010 last week and pitched great, going 6 shut out innings. I think he’ll pitch well tonight against a Nats team still feeling the shock of losing a 9 run lead last night. Advantage Push
Lineups - The National’s lineup is coming off a pretty average series in terms of run production, scoring 14 runs in three games against the Mets (4.67 per game). But considering they were without their best hitter Ian Desmond for the whole series (other than pinch hitting duties) that isn’t bad at all. The National offense remains average for the season as well, ranking between 5th and 10th in the major statistical categories with slugging percentage being their highest ranked. The Braves offense had been red hot before they ran into the Giants pitching staff in their last series and managed just 7 runs in a 3 game set (2.33 per game). Overall the Braves remain one of the NL’s most productive offenses, ranking 4th in runs scored and are comfortably inside the top 10 in everything else. Advantage Braves
Bullpens – The National’s bullpen took a bit of a beating in the series against the Mets, particularly closer Tyler Clippard. However, they still have the NL’s 4th best era at 3.26 and they now have Drew Storen available for the first time in 2012. Storen looked great in his first work of the season yesterday afternoon, needing just 9 pitches to record a 3 up, 3 down 9th. Despite Clippard’s recent struggles, he’s still been very good this year and will remain the team’s closer for now. The Brave’s bullpen has been solid in it’s own right, with a 3.50 era that’s good for 7th best in the NL. After an amazing 2011 campaign anchoring baseball’s best bullpen, Jonny Venters has had a really tough year with a 4.45 era and is currently on the DL. However, the blow of Venters ineffectiveness has been softened by the total dominance of Craig Kimbrel, who is without a doubt the best closer in baseball right now. Advantage Nationals
Game Summary - The Nationals let the hang over from last night’s crushing loss get to them as Sheets pitches a gem.
Prediction: Braves 4, Nationals 2
Key Players (Stat Prediction): Jackson (6 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 4 K, 2 BB), LaRoche (2-4, HR), Sheets (6 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 5 K, 1 BB), Uggla (2-4, HR, 2 RBI)
Jesse’s Picks W/L: 52 – 39