Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals preview (4/5): Julio Teheran faces off against Stephen Strasburg

Apr 4, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder

(34) is caught in a rundown between Atlanta Braves shortstop

(left) and first baseman

(5) during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit:

Brad Mills

-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Braves are going into game 2 in this series against the Washington Nationals looking to take the set and get back-to-back series wins after winning two of three in Milwaukee, and getting the first game yesterday in the capital.

Things get even tougher for the Atlanta hitters though, as Washington ace Stephen Strasburg is on the mound for the second time this season. The Braves will counter with their own ace (at least at the moment), Julio Teheran.

In Strasburg’s first start of the season against the Mets he definitely struggled, giving up five hits and four earned runs while walking two batters over six innings. Despite that, he still struck out 10 Mets batters and if the Braves offense has shown anything so far this season, it’s that they still know how to K with the best of ’em. I’m guessing Strasburg doesn’t have any difficulties getting back to the double-digit strikeout mark tonight.

Teheran is coming off of a 6 inning effort where he allowed just two runs and seven hits to the Brewers in Atlanta’s season opening loss. He did everything he needed to do to keep the Braves in the game, but the bats didn’t show up to help him. I’d look to see Teheran strike out more than just two batters tonight because he’s got the stuff to make hitters miss and he’s been doing it since he’s been at the major league level.

It should be another great pitching matchup.

Teheran and the Braves are going to need to be careful with Ryan Zimmerman, Anthony Rendon and Jayson Werth–all of whom are the top Washington hitters at the moment, and all of whom tallied hits yesterday. As for Atlanta’s offense, all eyes are going to be on Justin Upton and B.J. Upton. They’ve remained quiet in the four games so far (both players have just one hit) and while it is extremely early, it would ease a lot of minds for them to have a big night.

Date: April 5, 2014

Start Time: 7:05 p.m.

TV Channel: SportSouth

Radio: 680 AM/106.7 FM (Local in Atlanta), Full list of Local Affiliates

Live Stream: MLB.tv (Click Here, $)

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