Game 39 lineups: Nats at Braves

The Nationals are seeking a series win today in the final game of four at Truist Park against the first-place Braves. The Nats dropped Atlanta 10-4 Saturday night to win consecutive games for the first time since Aug. 10-11.

One reason the Nats find themselves in last place in the National League East is that they went 6-16 between those back-to-back wins. At the start of play Sunday, the Nats trail the Braves by 8 1/2 games in the division and are 6 1/2 games back of the final NL wild card spot.

After today's series finale, Atlanta comes to D.C. for a four-game series late this week from Sept. 10-13.

Left-hander Patrick Corbin (2-3, 3.79 ERA) opposes right-hander Josh Tomlin (1-2, 4.37 ERA). Corbin was 1-1 with a 2.81 ERA in three starts against the Braves last season. This is his first start against Atlanta in 2020. He is 6-2 in 10 starts (12 appearances) with a 1.95 ERA and 67 strikeouts versus the Braves in his career with a WHIP of 1.24.

Tomlin has allowed four homers in his last two starts and is likely to move back to the bullpen after today's start. The Nats scored 10 runs and pounded out 14 base hits Saturday, but only three of those knocks were doubles and there were no homers in the win.

The Nats are desperate for Corbin to pitch to the sixth inning today after four consecutive games where their starting pitching failed to finish five frames. Erick Fedde (3 2/3 innings pitched), Wil Crowe (2 1/3), Austin Voth (4 2/3) and Aníbal Sánchez (3 1/3) have started the last four games for the Nats without finishing five innings. It is only the second time since the Nats moved to D.C. that Nats starters have been unable to reach that plateau, the last time coming in September 2006.

Trea Turner continued his hot streak at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a walk. He has reached base safely in 27 of the last 28 games. His batting average is a major league-leading .368. He has especially been a thorn in the side of the Braves in Atlanta, hitting .324 with 37 runs scored, 19 stolen bases and 58 hits at Turner Field and Truist Park. The runs scored, stolen bases and hits are the most by any opponent at those two venues since 2015. He has reached base safely in 36 of 41 career games in Atlanta.

With a man on first, Wander Suero recorded three outs in the bottom of the seventh last night. He has not allowed an inherited runner to score this season (0-for-10). His career ERA versus the Braves is 2.60.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: Truist Park
Gametime: 1:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Sunny, 81 degrees, wind 8 mph out to right field

NATIONALS
CF Victor Robles
RF Adam Eaton
SS Trea Turner
DH Asdrúbal Cabrera
LF Brock Holt
C Yan Gomes
1B Eric Thames
3B Carter Kieboom
2B Luis García

LHP Patrick Corbin

BRAVES
CF Ronald Acuña Jr.
SS Dansby Swanson
1B Freddie Freeman
LF Marcell Ozuna
DH Travis D'Arnaud
3B Austin Riley
RF Adam Duvall
C Tyler Flowers
SS Adeiny Hechevarría

RHP Josh Tomlin