Thursday’s game: Braves at Nationals

Probable starting pitchers: Braves RH Matt Wisler (5-5, 5.22 ERA) vs. RH Jordan Zimmermann (11-8, 7.04)

What's new: The Braves have a chance to play spoilers against a reeling Nationals' team that is 12-18 since Aug. 1 and was trailing the Mets by 6 1/2 games in the National League East entering the Nationals' game in St. Louis on Wednesday night. The Braves haven't fared well in Washington this year, going 0-6 there, but that seems to be true at this point of the season wherever the Braves are playing. They've lost eight in a row and 15 of their past 16 games. They scored only four runs in three games in a sweep by the Marlins, to fall behind Miami into fourth place in the NL East. The lone offensive bright spot was Hector Olivera collecting his first major league hit and driving in two runs. Nick Markakis is 9-for-25 (.360) with a home run against Zimmermann.

— CARROLL ROGERS WALTON

UPCOMING

Friday: at Nationals, 7:05 p.m.

Saturday: at Nationals, 7:05 p.m.

Sunday: at Nationals, 1:35 p.m.

Monday: at Phillies, 7:05 p.m.

Tuesday: at Phillies, 7:05 p.m.