Danielle: The seven-game winning streak is dead. The Giants stole a win in Atlanta last night, snapping our momentum with a 7-3 victory, and now we have to hit the road immediately to face the Washington Nationals. But here is the real story: with Spencer Strider, Reynaldo Lopez, and Robert Suarez all on the IL, who is actually starting on the mound? And can the offense find its rhythm again after that loss?
Eric: It’s a tough spot for the Braves. You lose a seven-game streak, you’re down a key starter, and you’re playing in D.C. against a Nationals team that’s sitting at 66-74. We need to look at the pitching matchup closely because the bullpen has been under massive pressure lately.
Danielle: Exactly. Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, I’m Danielle. Joining me as always is Eric. Today, we are breaking down the series preview against the Washington Nationals. First, we’ll look at the pitching probables and how the rotation handles this series. Then, we’ll dive into the injury report—because it is long—and see who is available to hit. Finally, we’ll give you our keys to the series and a bold prediction for tonight’s opener.
Eric: Right. The Braves are still first in the NL East at 82-56, so the standings aren’t in danger, but every game matters in September. Let’s get into it.
Danielle: Stick with us, because if you thought the injury list was bad before, wait until you hear who else is out.
Danielle: Okay, let’s start with the pitching. The Braves lost last night 7-3 to the Giants. Rafael Devers hit his 30th homer of the season, and rookie Turner Hill had a huge two-run double for San Francisco. That was a rough outing. Now, they fly out to Washington for a two-game series. Who do you think is getting the nod for Game 1?
Eric: Well, looking at the roster, Chris Sale is the ace, but he might be saved for a bigger spot or just finished a recent turn. With Spenser Strider on the 60-Day IL, the burden falls on the remaining starters. I’m expecting Tyler Mahle or Bryce Elder to get the call. Given the urgency to stop the bleeding after that loss, they might go with whoever has had the most success recently.
Danielle: I was thinking Martin Perez. He’s been solid when he gets the chance. But honestly, Eric, the Nationals’ offense isn’t exactly terrifying, right? They’re fourth in the NL East.
Eric: They are 66-74, so they’re not elite, but they’re dangerous at home. The ABS challenge system tracker shows some interesting stats about umpire calls this year. If the Braves can’t make contact early, they’re in trouble. The key here is avoiding the early deficit like they had against Colorado and then letting it slip away against SF.
Danielle: Right. Remember, just two nights ago, Matt Olson delivered a walk-off single in the 10th inning against the Rockies to break a tie. That kind of clutch hitting is what keeps them in games. But against Washington, if the starter goes quietly, the bullpen has to pick up the slack.
Eric: That’s the concern. The bullpen is stretched thin. Joe Jimenez is on the 60-Day IL, and Robert Suarez is on the 15-Day IL. Raisel Iglesias is still there, but he can’t pitch three innings every night. If the starter doesn’t go deep, we’re going to see Dylan Dodd, Didier Fuentes, or Ray Kerr in high-leverage spots.
Danielle: Dylan Dodd has been impressive in relief when called upon. But does he have the stamina to close out a tight game in Washington? Or do they save him for the end?
Eric: I think they use him as a setup man. You don’t burn your best arms in the fifth inning unless you have to. The strategy here is to get the starter through six innings. If AJ Smith-Shawver is healthy enough to pitch, he might be the one to try and eat innings, but he’s listed as an SP, so he could be in the mix.
Danielle: So, the plan is: hope for six strong innings from the starter, then manage the bullpen carefully. No blowing it up early. Got it.
Eric: Exactly. And if they fall behind early, like they did against the Giants, they need to avoid making outs with runners in scoring position. That’s where series are won and lost.
Danielle: Let’s talk about the lineup. The injuries are piling up. We knew about Strider and Lopez, but now Victor Bericoto is on the 10-Day IL, Jesus Rodriguez is on the 10-Day IL, and Marcelo Mayer is on the 10-Day IL too. Plus Jurickson Profar is suspended. That’s a lot of bodies missing.
Eric: It’s severe. Matt Gage is also on the 60-Day IL. This forces manager Brian Snitker to shuffle the deck significantly. We’re seeing guys like Dominic Smith stepping in more often, and Lane Thomas getting extra at-bats in left field.
Danielle: Dominic Smith is a nice addition, but can he handle everyday duty? I’m more worried about the outfield. Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuna Jr. are anchors, but who is filling the gaps? Brewer Hicklen played well recently, didn't he? He drove in the run in that walk-off game against Colorado.
Eric: Hicklen is gritty. He showed he can contribute in big moments. But the heart of the order is still Ozzie Albies, Ha-Seong Kim, Matt Olson, and Austin Riley. Those four are non-negotiable. They need to produce.
Danielle: Speaking of the heart of the order, let’s address the elephant in the room. We predicted last night that the Braves would win 3-2 and that Michael Harris II would drive in two runs. Neither happened. The Giants won 7-3. How do you reset the mindset for tonight?
Eric: You move on. Baseball is a game of failure. Even the best hitters fail seven out of ten times. The key is to look at the larger trend. Before that loss, they were on a seven-game winning streak. Acuna Jr. has been thriving in the cleanup spot. He’s driving in runs, creating havoc on the bases.
Danielle: Acuna Jr. is electric. His speed changes the entire defensive alignment for the Nationals. If they’re afraid of him stealing second, they have to hold their infielders, which opens up holes for Albies and Kim.
Eric: Precisely. Platoon splits matter here too. The Nationals’ relievers might struggle against left-handed power. Olson and Riley are both switch-hitters or have strong platoon advantages. If the Braves can exploit those matchups, they can score in bunches.
Danielle: But the pitching is the wildcard. If the Braves’ starter gives up five runs early, does the offense panic? Do they try to force hits? That’s the danger.
Eric: That’s why plate discipline is critical. They need to work the count. Force the Nationals’ pitchers to throw strikes. If they chase pitches outside the zone, they’re putting themselves in a hole they can’t climb out of.
Danielle: So, stay disciplined, trust the process, and let the power come to you. It sounds simple, but it’s hard to execute when you’re down by four runs.
Eric: It is. But that’s what separates playoff teams from lottery teams. Execution under pressure.
Danielle: Alright, let’s get to our keys to the series and my bold prediction. Key number one: The starting pitcher must go at least six innings. No excuses. Key number two: Ronald Acuna Jr. needs to get on base twice and steal at least one base. His energy is contagious.
Eric: I agree with both. My third key is bullpen management. Do not overuse Raisel Iglesias. Save him for the ninth. Let the middle relievers, like Brent Suter or Victor Mederos, bridge the gap. If you blow the closer out early, you’re in trouble for Game 2.
Danielle: Smart. Now, for the bold prediction. Last night, we got it wrong. So I’m going to pivot. I predict the Braves win this series. Two games, two wins. And specifically, I think Matt Olson will hit a home run in Game 1 to spark the offense back to life.
Eric: I’m sticking with the series sweep prediction, but I’m adding nuance. I think the Braves win Game 1, but it’s ugly. A low-scoring affair, maybe 4-3. Then they take Game 2 comfortably. I also predict that Dylan Dodd records two saves in this two-game set because the bullpen is so stretched.
Danielle: Two saves for Dodd? That’s a bold call! I like it. It acknowledges the depth they need to tap into.
Eric: It’s realistic given the IL list. They don’t have many options left.
Danielle: There you have it. Keys to the series: Six innings from the starter, Acuna causing chaos, and smart bullpen usage. Predictions: Braves sweep the Nationals, Olson hits a homer, and Dodd gets the saves.
Danielle: Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. If you enjoyed this preview, please subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with a fellow Brave fan!
Eric: We’ll be back tomorrow with another update. Keep cheering loud.
Danielle: Go Braves!