ATLANTA - Hello from SunTrust Park, the brand-new home of the Braves. I'm still taking it all in, but my first impressions of this place are better than I expected. It actually has a few interesting features. Unfortunately, most seem to be lesser versions of similar things in other parks: a brick wall in right field (like AT&T Park in San Francisco), pine trees and rocks in the batter's eye (like Coors Field in Colorado). The main seating bowl has a Citi Field vibe to it, with dark seats, brick facades and an overhang.
The Nationals make their first-ever trip up here to suburban Cobb County - somebody needs to explain to me how, despite changing counties, the Braves still technically play within the city of Atlanta - as the opener of a tough, 10-game road trip that from here heads to New York and Colorado, with no off-days and no getaway days.
Dusty Baker's squad is well-rested after being off yesterday, though, so he's got his full, healthy lineup taking the field tonight against right-hander Mike Foltynewicz. The only regular missing remains Trea Turner, but he's here and was running the bases to test out his hamstring this afternoon. He's eligible to come off the disabled list tomorrow.
Max Scherzer makes his third start of the season, looking to continue his strong progression after an abbreviated spring, and looking to complete seven innings for the first time in 2017...
WASHINGTON NATIONALS at ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: SunTrust Park
Gametime: 7:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, XM 186/869, MLB.com
Weather: Chance of storms, 76 degrees, wind 8 mph in from left field
NATIONALS (7-5)
CF Adam Eaton
3B Anthony Rendon
RF Bryce Harper
2B Daniel Murphy
1B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Jayson Werth
C Matt Wieters
SS Wilmer Difo
RHP Max Scherzer
BRAVES (6-6)
CF Ender Inciarte
SS Dansby Swanson
1B Freddie Freeman
RF Nick Markakis
2B Brandon Phillips
3B Adonis Garcia
C Kurt Suzuki
LF Jace Peterson
RHP Mike Foltynewicz
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