Atlanta Braves: Need to Sweep the Nationals

The Atlanta Braves are still hanging around .500 but it is decision time for the front office and it is now or never for this Braves team. After being shellacked by the Astros the Braves bounced back against Washington in game one beating the Nats 5-2.

After the Atlanta Braves were swept by the Astros they looked poised to become sellers at the break. The Braves have one faint hope of going into the All-star break as contenders and that is sweeping the reigning NL East champs the Washington Nationals.

Sweeping the Nationals will not be easy but the Braves are capable of doing just that showing this season they match up much better against the Nationals then in seasons past. The Braves need to sweep the Nationals to put them within reaching distance of the division.

Tonight’s game will be a key match-up against Max Scherzer matching up against R.A. Dickey in a David and Goliath pitching match-up if there ever was one. Dickey has pitched pretty consistently for the Braves keeping the Braves in the game and limiting the damage eating innings until one of the Braves younger arms is ready.

With trade rumors swirling around Brandon Phillips,Matt Adams, and Julio Teheran the Braves are going to have to make a strong push and the time is now if they hope to avoid a minor sell off. Regardless of how this series goes a major sell-off will not happen the Braves are looking to field a team that can win games and keep fans coming to the park regardless of their place in the standings.

The Braves are rumored to be targeting a top starting pitcher as well who would likely take Jaime Garcia’s place in the rotation who is expected to be traded soon. Game two of the series is expected to start at 7:05 barring any threat of rain in Washington.