The Washington Nationals have a chance to earn at least a split in this four-game series on Wednesday, as last night’s 11-4 victory over the Braves boosted confidence and knotted the set at one win each. After forcing Atlanta to ask 24 outs of its bullpen, the Nationals lineup will look to jump out early again and wear them down en route to another curly W.

The Washington Nationals came out of the gate hot again, starting the first inning with a bases loaded rally and cashing in to take an early lead before the Atlanta Braves could settle in. They stayed on the gas in the second, stacking quality at-bats and forcing Reynaldo López out of the game just three outs in. Atlanta answered in the middle innings with a run to cut into it, but Washington quickly flipped momentum right back, responding in the bottom half to maintain control and keep the pressure squarely on the Braves’ bullpen.

The game broke open in the middle innings, when Washington pieced together a big number and forced Atlanta into extended frames that taxed the bullpen. The Braves managed to push a couple runs across late, but never really threatened, as the Nationals continued to tack on insurance and avoid any single big inning against them on the way to an 11–4 victory.

On Deck…

Tomorrow’s series finale will be a matinee outing for Cade Cavalli, who will be making his first career start against the Braves. He will be going up against veteran lefty Chris Sale, who has been dominant to start the season.

In the hole…

The Nationals will immediately head back to Chicago, but this time they’re visiting the White Sox for a Friday-Sunday set. Washington is likely to use Miles Mikolas with an opener again, while the home team’s plan is not yet known.