Washington Nationals vs Atlanta Braves Series Preview
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams makes a throw to first base after fielding a ground ball hit by St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker during the second inning at Nationals Park. | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Division rival Atlanta Braves started the season on a seven-game losing streak, going 5-13, starting off as one of the worst teams in baseball. Since that stretch, Atlanta is 14-8, fighting their way back into the playoff picture early in the season. From top to bottom, this lineup is littered with All-Star-level talent, and even off to a slow start, they are still considered one of the most dangerous teams in baseball.
ATLANTA TEAM STATS
Pitching: 2024 NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale started 2025 on a bad note, with an ERA peaking at 6.75. He has been crucial for Atlanta's recent success, dropping his ERA down to 3.97 and has a whopping twenty-eight strikeouts over his last three outings. The pitching staff as a whole has been right around average, having a 3.89 ERA (16th), 1.25 WHIP (14th), and .232 batting average against (9th).
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Hitting: After a 'down' year last season, Austin Riley has become arguably the most important piece in Atlanta's lineup. Riley leads the team in home runs (8), batting average (.283), hits (47), and slugging percentage (.470). Marcell Ozuna has continued his performance from 2024 into 2025, leading Atlanta in OPS (.841). However, the Atlanta offense has been underwhelming as a whole, currently posting a .237 batting average (21st), 42 home runs (13th), 3.10 on-base percentage (18th), and .380 slugging percentage (16th).
PITCHING MATCHUPS
GAME ONE - Monday, 7:15 EDT
WASHINGTON: Jake Irvin (2-1) - 8 GS, 3.94 ERA, 33 SO, 1.15 WHIP
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The 28-year-old has gotten off to a solid start to the season, currently sitting with a career high in ERA. In his last start, he went 5.1 innings and allowed four hits and two earned runs, resulting in a Washington win against the Cleveland Guardians.
ATLANTA: Grant Holmes (2-3) - 7 GS, 4.58 ERA, 40 SO, 1.25 WHIP
Late into the 2024 season, Holmes was allowed to start and played well, finishing with a 3.56 ERA. Holmes has had a roller coaster start to 2025. In his last start, Holmes allowed four earned runs in 5.1 innings, resulting in an Atlanta loss.
GAME TWO - Tuesday, 7:15 EDT
WASHINGTON: Michael Soroka (0-2) - 2 GS, 7.20 ERA, 11 SO, 1.30 WHIP
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Soroka made his return to the Washington rotation on May 7 after being on the injured list for over a month. In his return, Soroka pitched five innings, giving up five hits and four earned runs in a loss against the Cleveland Guardians. However, an encouraging sign from his performance was his strikeout total. During his rehab starts, Soroka was hitting double-digit strikeout numbers and had eight in his return, showing potential improvement in the strikeout department.
ATLANTA: Spencer Schwellenbach (1-3) - 8 GS, 3.61 ERA, 43 SO, 1.12 WHIP
In his second year in the Atlanta rotation, Schwellenbach has brought his great production from 2024 into the 2025 season. In his last start, Schwellenbach pitched and had a great outing, going six innings and only allowing five hits and one earned run while striking out six, resulting in an Atlanta win.
GAME THREE - Wednesday, 7:15 EDT
WASHINGTON: Mitchell Parker (3-3) - 8 GS, 3.97 ERA, 26 SO, 1.30 WHIP
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Mitchell Parker has had an incredible start to the season, but his production has dipped in recent outings. In his last outing, Parker pitched four innings and allowed four earned runs on seven hits, resulting in an embarrassing 10-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.
ATLANTA: Bryce Elder (2-2) - 7 GS, 4.97 ERA, 30 SO, 1.29 WHIP
2023 All-Star Bryce Elder has not been able to replicate his 2023 production; however has progressed from his disappointing 2024 season. In his last start, Elder produced a quality start, going six innings and allowed three runs on five hits, resulting in an Atlanta loss.
GAME FOUR - Thursday, 7:15 EDT
WASHINGTON: Trevor Williams (2-4) - 8 GS, 5.88 ERA, 34 SO, 1.57 WHIP
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Trevor Williams struggled this season compared to his short 2024 season. His last start resulted in a loss, as he pitched six innings and allowed four earned runs against the St. Louis Cardinals. In his last three starts, Williams has allowed a total of thirteen earned runs.
ATLANTA: AJ Smith-Shawver (2-2) - 6 GS, 2.76 ERA, 34 SO, 1.35 WHIP
At just 22 years old, Smith-Shawver has pitched incredibly this season, being arguably the best arm for Atlanta in 2025. In his last start, Smith-Shawver threw a gem against the Pittsburgh Pirates, going just under six innings, allowed one earned run on five hits, and punched out seven, leading to an Atlanta victory.
The National League East is one of the most competitive divisions in baseball. With the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies seeing most of the success this season, the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals are trying to fight back into the division race. While Washington has seen loads of success from their young talent, Atlanta's proven talent has been disappointing, placing Atlanta in third place in the division. A big divisional series for both squads, trying to prove their worth in the National League East
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