Nationals-Braves Preview
ATLANTA, GA (AP) – John Lannan has been unable to get anything done against one NL East foe.
It’s been a much different story for the Washington Nationals’ left-hander versus the Atlanta Braves.
Lannan looks to rebound from one of his worst career starts when the Nationals go for their fourth consecutive win in Atlanta on Wednesday night.
According to MLB odds and oddsmakers from online sports book Bodog.com have made the Braves –202 money line favorites for Wednesday’s game against the Nationals. Current MLB Public Betting Information shows that 89% of more than 357 bets for this game have been placed on the Braves -202.
Trying to avoid a third straight losing start, Lannan (2-4, 5.09 ERA) yielded a season-high six runs and seven hits over a season-low two-plus innings of Thursday’s 7-3 loss at Philadelphia. He fell to 0-10 against the Phillies.
Lannan, though, has had much more success against Atlanta (20-17), registering six of his 30 career victories in this matchup. He is 3-0 with a 2.76 ERA in his last three versus the Braves, winning 6-3 at home after allowing one run and five hits over five innings April 2.
Lannan will try to deliver another solid outing after Washington earned a 7-6 series-opening victory Tuesday to end Atlanta’s season-high five-game home winning streak.
The Nationals (17-18), though, can’t feel too good after the bullpen surrendered three runs – the most in 12 games. However, they had their highest-scoring game since an 8-6 win at St. Louis on April 20.
Washington struck out 67 times and hit .212 with 16 runs while dropping four of its previous six.
Continuing their nine-game trip, the Nationals will face Tommy Hanson (4-3, 2.63) for the second time this season.
The right-hander gave up four runs and five hits in the April 2 loss. He did not return following a 55-minute rain delay in the fourth inning.
Hanson enters this matchup on a three-start win streak, posting a 1.35 ERA. He has 24 strikeouts and four walks in his last 20 innings.
Hanson, who said his back doesn’t feel 100 percent but that it shouldn’t impact his performance, struck out seven and allowed two runs and three hits over six innings to beat Milwaukee 8-3 last Wednesday.
Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth, 3 for 7 with three doubles off Hanson, hit a three-run homer Tuesday – his first in 12 games.
“A month ago, I would have swung and missed,” said Werth, batting .228. “Two weeks ago, I probably would have hit it foul. A week ago, I would have hit it to the third baseman.”
Braves right fielder Jason Heyward can relate. He has not homered in 10 contests and is hitless in his last 10 at-bats after going 0 for 3 in the series opener.
Heyward could be replaced by Eric Hinske on Wednesday and could be out even longer after leaving Tuesday’s game due to lingering pain in his right shoulder. His status will be determined following an MRI on Thursday.
Shortstop Alex Gonzalez, 6 for 10 with a double against Lannan, could return to the Braves’ lineup after sitting out Tuesday with a minor left groin strain.
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