Nats open series in Atlanta with Strasburg on hill (plus an honor for LaRoche)

ATLANTA - The Nationals open their final three-game series at Turner Field - barring an unlikely late-season run by the Braves to secure one of the National League wild cards - with right-hander Stephen Strasburg on the mound.

Strasburg hasn't traditionally fared well here - he's 1-3 with a 6.99 ERA in seven career starts. But he'll try for his 12th victory while making his team-high and career-best 32nd start of the season. He'll face righty Ervin Santana.

The Nats' magic number stands at four. Any combination of Nationals wins and Braves losses totaling four gives Washington its second NL East title in three seasons. Win two of three against the Braves and the celebration will begin, followed quickly by preparation for the postseason.

Here are tonight's lineups:

For the Nationals
CF Denard Span
3B Anthony Rendon
RF Jayson Werth
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
LF Bryce Harper
C Wilson Ramos
2B Asdrubal Cabrera
RHP Stephen Strasburg

For the Braves
2B Phil Gosselin
SS Andrelton Simmons
1B Freddie Freeman
LF Justin Upton
RF Jason Heyward
3B Chris Johnson
C Christian Bethancourt
CF B.J. Upton
RHP Ervin Santana

Update: First baseman Adam LaRoche is one of six players selected by fans for the 2014 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award. One winner was chosen for each major league division based on Internet fan voting conducted from Sept. 6-12.

LaRoche was joined by Carlos Beltran of the Yankees, Max Scherzer of the Tigers, Josh Hamilton of the Angels, Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs and Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers on the 2014 Players Choice Award ballot.

The Man of the Year Award honors a player who inspires others to a higher level of achievement by their on-field performance and contributions to the community.

LaRoche was cited for his work with the Wounded Warrior Project at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he regularly visits veterans during their rehabilitation and recovery. LaRoche also brings Wounded Warriors to Nationals Park, where they recently took batting practice before a game. Last December, LaRoche visited troops in Italy, Germany, Greece and Afghanistan on the USO Holiday Tour at the invitation of Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Yankees' Mariano Rivera won the award last year, and past winners include Chipper Jones, Curtis Granderson, Torii Hunter, Albert Pujols, Mike Sweeney, Jim Thome, John Smoltz, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Eric Davis and Paul Molitor.