The Braves look to complete the sweep against the Nationals today, making it their second consecutive series win. Injuries have plagued Atlanta but due to the diligence of general manager Alex Anthopolous, they remain in the playoff race. Signing cast-offs from other teams has provided a spark as of late for the Braves, and this afternoon they turn to Reynaldo Lopez to finish off the division-rival Nationals.
The Braves’ everyday shortstop has been heating up lately. While he is still not scorching hot, he has hit safely in five of his last seven games. In that time he has 2 home runs with 4 runs batted in and a walk. He shouldn’t be relied on every day in your starting lineup but could continue his hot streak at the plate in today’s game.
Whit Merrifield, 2B, Atlanta Braves
The Braves newly acquired second baseman currently has an 18-game on-base streak going. He looks to continue this heading into Sunday’s game as he’s batting .381 in the last seven days. Now is the time of the season to throw previous numbers out the window and ride the hot hand and Merrifield is a prime candidate to do that with.
CJ Abrams, SS, Washington Nationals
Abrams went ice cold as of late, after starting the season on fire at the plate. Abrams is beginning to come back around batting .273 in the past week. He is one of the few in the nationals lineup who has any experience against Braves starter for Sunday Reynaldo Lopez, going 1-3 off of him in his career with a home run. While it’s a small sample size, the Nationals need Abrams to heat up if they have any hope of winning.
Braves vs Nationals Sits
Joey Gallo, OF, Washington Nationals
Gallo is batting .168 on the year and only .200 in the past week. He has gone 1-8 so far in this series with the Braves, and is 0-7 in his career against Reynaldo Lopez with 3 Ks and 4 walks in his career. He remains in the Nationals lineup for his power potential but shouldn’t be started in anyone’s fantasy lineup.
Sean Murphy, C, Atlanta Braves
The Braves catcher is only batting .158 in the past week and .238 the past month. He is hitting only .184 against lefties this season. The Braves continue to give him the majority of the starts behind the dish in hopes that he will heat up. Murphy shouldn’t be anywhere near your fantasy lineups until he’s proven that he is turning things around at the plate.
Jorge Soler, OF, Atlanta Braves
Soler is hitless since returning from the IL this week. He has gone 0-6 with 3 Ks. Jorge Soler is a boom-or-bust hitter naturally, so when the home runs aren’t coming he is almost impossible to justify starting in your lineup. Until he breaks out of this slump he is in you should avoid him at all costs.
Lopez had a solid outing in his return from the IL last week going 5 innings, allowing only 1 run with 10 strikeouts. His IL stint this late in the season could be a blessing in disguise for the Braves as it gives the pitcher some rest as he tries to go for a career-high in innings pitched. If the Braves have any hope of making the playoffs they need Lopez to be fresh and pitching like he was when the season started.
DJ Herz has taken the loss in his last three starts. tough luck considering he hasn’t given up more than two runs in each of those starts. The Nationals bats have been heating up lately so this might be the start where they provide some support for their young pitcher and avoid being swept by the Braves.
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