Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals preview: Alex Wood vs. Gio Gonzalez

After breaking the losing streak Friday night, the Atlanta Braves dropped a long, extra inning bid to the Washington Nationals to even up the series at one apiece. Today, the Braves and Nats go at it in the Sunday night ESPN spotlight to see who will take the series.

The Pitching Match-up:

Alex Wood is on the hill again for the Braves in this one, and is coming off of a four-run, four-walk game against the Seattle Mariners. Wood hasn’t been at his sharpest in recent weeks, but he’s still be one of the top pitchers on the staff for the most part, and is looking at a 3.20 season ERA. In addition he’s striking out 8.78 batters per nine and walking 2.46 batters per nine while posting a 3.39 FIP and 3.32 xFIP.

Gio Gonzalez will be the man opposing Wood for the finale, and has a 4.01 ERA on the season despite peripherals that show he’s been much better than that. His K/9 of 9.23 is above his career average, his 3.57 BB/9 is lower than his career average and he’s got a 3.09 FIP and 3.57 xFIP. In Gonzalez’s last start–against the Mets–he went six innings and allowed six hits while giving up four earned runs.

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