The set-up: The Nats won the opener of this three-game series 4-2 in Atlanta last night. The victory gives the Nats a 91-59 record and with the Dodgers losing 6-2 at Philly, Washington climbed to within 4 1/2 games of LA for the National League's best overall record. The loss guaranteed Atlanta (67-82) would have a losing record for the fourth consecutive season, as the Braves opened a stretch of 14 games in 13 days to close the 2017 season by losing for the fourth time in their last five games (note: Atlanta is 22-37 since sitting at .500 back on July 16 with a 45-45 record!).


The pitching matchup: Gio Gonzalez (14-7 & 2.68 ERA) gets the nod for Washington and Lucas Sims (2-5 & 5.52 ERA) for Atlanta. Gonzalez has rebounded from a sub-par 2016 to again establish himself as one of the top left-handers in the National League. He has lost two of his last three starts but he's 7-3 with a 2.40 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP since the All-Star break. However, it may be a concern that Gonzalez is 4-11 with a 5.27 ERA in 20 career starts against Atlanta, including 0-2 with a 6.48 ERA in three starts in 2017 (Nats are 0-3). Sims is a 23-year-old rookie who made his major-league debut on Aug. 1. After losing his first three starts, he went 2-2 over his next four before Atlanta sent him to the bullpen. In four relief appearances, he posted a 4.26 ERA. He gets another chance to start here vs. the Nationals, who he has made one appearance in a relief outing on Sep. 13 in which he struck out one in a perfect inning.

The pick: Yes, I'm fully aware that the Brarves have fared well against Gonzalez over his career but the Braves haven't fared well against many opponents since the team's collapse in mid-July (see above). Pitching on a staff with Scherzer and Strasburg it's easy to get over-looked but Gonzalez has put together a superb season for the Nats, who haven't quite given up hope that they just may be able to 'run down' the struggling Dodgers. Make Washington an 8*.