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Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves Preview (4/4 + 4/6)

By Ricky Keeler

Mar 1, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) hits a double during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) hits a double during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 2, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 2, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Max Scherzer vs. Julio Teheran – 4:10 p.m ET, broadcast on MASN2

The last time Nats fans saw Max Scherzer pitch in a regular season game, he threw a no-hitter against the Mets and struck out 17 batters. Now, Scherzer will take the mound for the second straight year on Opening Day for the Nats.

This spring, Scherzer went 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in four outings. His 17 strikeouts were tied with Tanner Roark and Joe Ross for the second most on the staff (Strasburg led with 19). Scherzer had a 2.11 ERA in the first half and a 1.26 ERA in four games last April. The Nats hope he can get off to a similar start.

Last season, the 31-year-old right-hander lost his only start against Atlanta, but he didn’t pitch poorly in that game. Back on August 2, he went 8.1 innings, gave up two runs on five hits, and struck out nine batters. However, Atlanta won the game on a walk-off single by Cameron Maybin (now with the Tigers). A.J. Pierzynski is 11-for-36 (.306) against Scherzer with one home run and seven RBI’s.

As for Teheran, he will be making his third straight Opening Day start for the Braves and he has pitched well in his other two occasions (1-1, three earned runs allowed over 12 innings). The Braves definitely hope Teheran can keep that trend up, but that the offense can give him more run support (two runs in those games).

He ended the year on a good note as he went 1-1 with a 1.91 ERA in his final five starts of 2015, but his ERA of 4.04 was the highest he has had in any season where he has made 30 or more starts. At just 25 years old, the Braves need Teheran to get to at least the 14 wins that he had in 2013 and 2014.

Last season, Teheran struggled against the Nationals as he had a 5.40 ERA in three starts and the Nats hit .362 in those games with five home runs. If you recall, he was the starting pitcher the night the Nats came back from their eight run comeback last April at Turner Field. Bryce Harper is 10-for-23 (.435) with three doubles, three home runs, and five RBI’s against Teheran and he has three home runs in his career on Opening Day.

Prediction: While I expect this game to be close, I think Scherzer will get his 2016 season off to a great start. The Nats offense will score just enough to squeak out a 4-3 win.

Next: Wednesday's Matchup

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