The set-up: It's an interesting matchup on the mound to open this important series and I don't think that the home field advantage can be overlooked as a very real deciding factor. Patrick Corbin gets the nod for the home side and he's opposed by Dallas Keuchel.

The pitchers: Keuchel (3-3, 3.50 ERA) has been solid overall for his new team, but note that he's 0-2 with a 4.70 ERA in four lifetime starts vs. the Nats.

Corbin (8-5, 3.25) Corbin comes in off a gem, holding the Rockies scoreless over six at home on Wednesday. He's had plenty of success vs. the Braves in the past by going 5-1 with a 1.84 ERA over ten games as well.

The pick: Atlanta looks primed for another letdown here in my opinion after it lost yesterday, failing to complete the sweep in Philadelphia on Sunday. Conversely, I expect the Nationals to keep the foot on the gas here after dropping the first two games of their weekend series vs. the Dodgers, before then bouncing back with a convincing 11-4 win yesterday afternoon. Lay the price.

8* play on the Washington Nationals.