Braves Aim to Surpass .500 Against Nationals as Smith-Shawver Takes the Mound

Atlanta, GA – After a postponed game, the Atlanta Braves are set to face off against the Washington Nationals tonight at Truist Park. Both teams are looking to build momentum, but the Braves are especially focused on surpassing the .500 mark.

AJ Smith-Shawver has been a standout performer for Atlanta since his return to the mound on April 29. He boasts impressive statistics, with opponents hitting just .141 against him, a 1.08 ERA, and a 0.840 WHIP. His recent success includes pitching 6.0 innings against the Nationals, allowing only two hits and no earned runs while striking out six batters.

Smith-Shawver’s recent performance has made him a tough challenge for the Nationals, particularly for Luis García Jr., who has had the most success against him with a 1.334 OPS in three at-bats. No other Nationals player has faced Smith-Shawver more than five times, creating uncertainty for the visiting team.

On the other side, Trevor Williams will take the mound for the Nationals. He previously faced the Braves this month, pitching 4.1 innings while surrendering three earned runs. Although Williams has a season ERA of 5.91, his expected ERA stands at 3.62, suggesting that he has faced some unlucky breaks this season.

The Braves hope to build on their last encounter with Williams, where they scored four runs against him. Atlanta’s offense has struggled this season but shows signs of improvement, especially with their recent performance.

Tonight’s first pitch is scheduled for 6:45 PM EDT. Fans can catch the game on FanDuel Sports South and MLB.tv, or listen on 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan.