The Braves and Nationals are hoping to squeeze in the series finale at Nationals Park on Sunday, though inclement weather has that in question. Saturday’s game was already rained out.
Mike Foltynewicz will oppose Max Scherzer at 1:35 p.m. if the rain doesn’t impede.
Here’s what to know entering the Braves’ second game since the All-Star break.
1. The Braves have beaten the Nationals five of the past six meetings after Friday’s 8-5 win. They’d move to 3-1-1 in the last five series in Washington with a win Sunday.
2. Washington has given the Braves a power surge. They’ve homered in 14 of their last 16 at Nationals Park, hitting 24 home runs in that span (going back to Sept. 2016).
Charlie Culberson and Ronald Acuna went deep on Friday, representing two of five homers hit that night. Eight were hit in the Futures Game on Sunday, with a record 10 homers in Tuesday’s All-Star game.
3. Scherzer, the reigning two-time Cy Young winner, is set to face the Braves for the third time this year. He last saw them April 9 at SunTrust Park, when he pitched a two-hit shutout. He’s 7-4 with a 3.46 ERA in 13 starts against the Braves with Washington.
4. Acuna was set to lead off again Sunday, hoping for any semblance of Friday’s success. He went 3-for-4 with two extra-base hits and a walk. The Braves are searching for production at the lead-off spot, where their hitters have posted a .299 on-base percentage, fourth-worst in the majors.
5. Despite the lead-off woes, the Braves lead MLB with a .279 average with runners in scoring position. Freddie Freeman owns a .381 average (32-for-84) in such situations, third-best in the National League.
Much of the work has been done with doubles. The Braves have doubled 199 times, tied for third-most in MLB with Cleveland, and on pace for a team record 339 two-baggers (record is 328, set in 2007).
