Game 5 lineups: Nats at Braves

ATLANTA - Right-hander A.J. Cole wants to be just like his buddies. The first four starters for the Nationals were 4-0 with a 1.09 ERA and the offense has provided their pitching staff with a league-leading 29 runs. The Nats pitching staff has allowed only 13 runs and other than the them, the Pirates are the only undefeated teams remaining at 4-0.

Cole's major league debut came here in Atlanta back in 2015. The Nats made a miraculous comeback on April 28, 2015 to win 13-12 but Cole struggled through two innings, allowing nine runs, only four of which were earned, surrendering nine hits, walking one and striking out one. He had to throw 55 pitches to 17 batters faced. His ERA for the appearance was 18.00.

But Cole has gradually pitched better with experience. In 2017, he went 3-5 with a 3.81 ERA in 11 appearances (eight starts), striking out 44 over 52 innings. The 27 walks are still too high, but he was better on the road, going 3-1 versus 0-4 at home. His ERA last season away from Nats Park was 3.22.

Adam Eaton is back in the starting lineup and Howie Kendrick is at second base. Brian Goodwin gets the start in center field.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: SunTrust Park
Gametime: 7:35 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com, XM 185 (Nationals broadcast Internet 869)
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 75 degrees, no precipitation, 50 degrees humidity, winds out to right center field 11 mph

WASHINGTON NATIONALS

LF Adam Eaton
3B Anthony Rendon
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
2B Howie Kendrick
SS Trea Turner
CF Brian Goodwin
C Miguel Montero
RHP A.J. Cole

ATLANTA BRAVES
CF Ender Inciarte
2B Ozzie Albies
1B Freddie Freeman
RF Nick Markakis
LF Preston Tucker
SS Dansby Swanson
3B Ryan Flaherty
C Chris Stewart
RHP Julio Teheran