The Washington Nationals are achingly close to locking down a Wild Card berth in the National League playoffs. But nothing is guaranteed, especially with the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves coming to town. Game 3 of their three-game set will be this Sunday at 1:35 PM ET on TBS.
The starting pitchers have yet to be finalized at press time, but it looks like Anibal Sanchez (4.04 ERA) will take the hill for Washington opposite Max Fried (4.02 ERA). Sanchez has already faced Atlanta four times this year, splitting the set. He has a team record of 14-13, with the Under coming out on top at 15-12. Fried’s team record is 1-1 against the Nats and 21-7 overall (Over 16-10-2), including a 4-2 win on September 5 as slight –104 home dogs. This will be their first start of the season against each other.
Washington could be without catcher Kurt Suzuki (.792 OPS) for Sunday’s game; he’s day-to-day with an inflamed right elbow. Yan Gomes (.667 OPS) has been filling in since last Saturday. The Braves, meanwhile, hope to have OF Nick Markakis (.787 OPS) back in uniform in time for this matchup. Markakis has been out since late July with a broken left wrist – that’s his throwing arm.
