Game 5 lineups: Nats vs. Braves

Hey, remember when the Braves were in the Nationals' heads or something like that? It was only two years ago when it seemed like anything that could go wrong against Atlanta did go wrong. Well, that's not so much the case anymore. Including their two-game sweep at Turner Field last week, the Nats have now won 20 of their last 27 games against the Braves, including 10 straight on South Capitol Street.

Obviously, this is a very different Atlanta roster now than it was a couple years ago. In fact, this team comes to town 0-5 on the season, the only remaining winless team in the National League. And it already has lost one of its bright young stars, center fielder Ender Inciarte, who is on the disabled list with a strained hamstring. So dynamic 22-year-old Mallex Smith will make his major league debut tonight.

Max Scherzer gets the ball for the Nationals, making his second start of the season and his second start against the Braves. Scherzer was very good on opening day, allowing just three hits over seven innings (though two of the three hits were home runs). Bryce Harper, meanwhile, once again aims for career homer No. 100.

The forecast is much better than it has been since the Nats came home last week, albeit it bit windy. Should be a pleasant night at the ballpark, though ...

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, XM 185, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 67 degrees, wind 16 mph out to left field

NATIONALS
CF Michael A. Taylor
3B Anthony Rendon
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
2B Daniel Murphy
LF Jayson Werth
C Wilson Ramos
SS Danny Espinosa
RHP Max Scherzer

BRAVES
CF Mallex Smith
RF Nick Markakis
1B Freddie Freeman
3B Adonis Garcia
C A.J. Pierzynski
LF Hector Olivera
SS Erick Aybar
2B Jace Peterson
RHP Bud Norris