Atlanta Braves: 4 things to know before today’s game vs. the Nationals

The Atlanta Braves will square off with the Washington Nationals at 1 PM today for the series finale and we’ve got everything you’ll need to know before game time

The Atlanta Braves have taken two of the first three games (series win if excluding the make-up game) of this series against the Washington Nationals and will try to win this one as well with Anibal Sanchez (6-3, 2.89 ERA) on the mound.

His mound opponent will be Gio Gonzalez (6-8, 4.04 ERA) who has already faced Atlanta once this season. Back on June 2nd, Gonzalez threw seven innings, allowing three runs in a no-decision. The Braves went on to lose that game.

Gonzalez has had a drop in his game lately, losing three of his last four outings with the other being a no-decision. Gonzalez’s recent game log is:

• July 11th versus Pittsburgh Pirates: 6 innings, allowed 2 runs, lost
• July 23rd versus Milwaukee Brewers: 5.2 innings, allowed 5 runs, lost
• July 28th versus Miami Marlins: 7 innings, allowed 1 run, no-decision
• August 4th versus Cincinatti Reds: 3.2 innings, allowed 5 earned runs, lost

Different Platform

Today’s game will be broadcast as a Facebook Watch exclusive. For anyone new to this, the game will not be shown on live TV but instead on the social media. The stream will be free, but a Facebook account is required for access. This is similar to when selected baseball games are aired though Twitter Sports.

The Braves have not played a game on Facebook Watch this year but did have one against the Milwaukee Brewers last season.

Taking The Throne

The Philadelphia Phillies lost last night and ware not only half a game ahead of the Braves. This means if the Braves win, they will take first place of the NL East as the Phillies do not play today.

More from Braves News

• What would a Max Fried extension look like?
• Braves News: Dansby to the Red Sox?, Braves top prospects, more
• Atlanta Braves Rumors: Red Sox Interested in Dansby Swanson
• Can the Atlanta Braves still afford Dansby Swanson?
• Braves News: Dansby’s market heats up, trade options for left field, more

This win will also push the Nationals down some more who currently are 5.5 games behind the Braves. This shows how crucial this series has been for Atlanta and their competition in the division. It would also move the Braves out of the Wild Card position where they sit as #2.

Taking On The SouthPaw

Gio Gonzalez is a lefty and ever since the Braves acquired Adam Duvall, they’ve been using an alternative line up against lefties with Ronald Acuna Jr. honing center field while Duvall plays left and Charlie Culberson in one of the infield spots.

The Braves used the same lineup last night against Tommy Milone and it gave Ender Inciarte and Dansby Swanson the day off. However, for this game, the Braves will opt to go with a more usual lineup that includes both Inciarte and Swanson.

See if the Braves can take first place today when the game comes to you at 1 PM on Facebook Watch.