Washington Nationals at Braves Series Preview (8/18-8/21)

Tanner Roark (13-6, 2.81) vs. Julio Teheran (3-9, 2.81) – 7:35 p.m ET, MASN

Roark had a dominant outing against the Braves in last Sunday’s game. He went seven innings, gave up one run on five hits, struck out three, and walked two on 109 pitches in the win. Roark has now won four straight games and five of his last six starts.

Since the All-Star Break, Roark is 5-1 with a 2.23 ERA, which is the lowest ERA of any starting pitcher in the Washington Nationals rotation. He has given up one earned run or less in four of those six decisions. Plus, he has pitched into the seventh inning in four straight starts.

Against the Braves this season, Roark has made two starts and he is 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA (one run allowed in 14 innings). Matt Kemp is 3-for-8 against him with two home runs and five RBI’s.

The Braves are expected to activate Teheran off the disabled list for tomorrow night’s game. The 25-year-old right-hander has not made a start since July 30 due to a lat injury. He threw only nine innings in his two starts prior to going on the DL.

Some thought Teheran could have been moved at the trade deadline, but he has been the ace of the Braves rotation when healthy. He has held opponents to a .205 batting average and he had a sub-two ERA in the months of May and June.

Teheran is 3-3 with a 3.95 ERA in 13 career starts against the Washington Nationals. In his two starts against the Nats in 2016, he is 0-1 with a 5.54 ERA. Bryce Harper is 12-for-28 (.429) against Teheran with three doubles, five home runs, and ten RBI’s.

Prediction: For tomorrow night’s game, I will go with the Washington Nationals to get the victory. Teheran has yet to win a game at Turner Field this year (0-5, 3.07 ERA in 12 starts) and is coming off injury. Meanwhile, Roark has been the most consistent starter for the Nats in the second half. Roark leads the Washington Nationals to a win.

Next: Saturday's Matchup