(08-09-2018 12:45 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  Some notes from the local rag today:

Quote:5 things to know about Braves entering finale vs. Nationals

By: Gabriel Burns, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

WASHINGTON — The Braves can ruin whatever good spirits the Nationals were building with a win Thursday.

After getting blown out in the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader, the Braves have won two consecutive and have the chance to win three of four in Washington.

Here’s what to know before the series finale:

1. A win Thursday would give the Braves a winning season at Nationals Park (5-4). They were 6-4 in the nation’s capital last season, meaning it would ensure their first consecutive winning seasons at Nationals Park since it opened in 2008.

2. Ender Inciarte was in the lineup against lefty Gio Gonzalez, with recent acquisition Adam Duvall on the bench. That goes against the Braves’ declaration that Inciarte would sit against lefties, but consider the stats: Inciarte is 11-for-25 against Gonzalez, while Duvall is 3-for-12.

3. Charlie Culberson has homered in three consecutive games. He’s aiming to become the first Brave to homer in four straight since Brian McCann in 2012.

4. Freddie Freeman will try extending his hitting streak to 11 games. He’s hit .325 with a .372 on-base percentage over a 10-game streak that began July 29. He’s one of two players to have three double-digit hitting streaks this season, joining Houston’s Yuli Gurriel.

5. The Braves have hit 77 homers on fifth most in baseball. They’re hitting 1.28 homers per road game. The team will also try to extend their success in day games (23-15).