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On April 6th, 2023, the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals will face off in a highly anticipated matchup at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. The Braves, led by reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuna Jr., will be looking to defend their NL East division title and make a deep playoff run, while the Nationals hope to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 campaign and compete for a playoff spot themselves. Here’s a closer look at both teams and what fans can expect from this exciting matchup.
The Braves are coming off a strong 2022 season in which they finished with a record of 96-66 and won their fourth consecutive NL East division title. Led by the dynamic duo of Acuna Jr. and Freddie Freeman, the Braves boasted one of the most potent offenses in baseball, scoring the second-most runs in the National League. Acuna Jr. had a breakout year, hitting .308 with 45 home runs, 123 runs scored, and 34 stolen bases. Freeman, meanwhile, hit .304 with 36 home runs and 125 RBI.
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While the Braves’ offense was impressive in 2022, their pitching staff was also a major factor in their success. Led by ace Max Fried, who finished with a 2.94 ERA and 206 strikeouts in 195 innings pitched, the Braves’ rotation was one of the best in baseball. Closer Will Smith was also dominant, saving 37 games and posting a 1.74 ERA.
The Nationals, on the other hand, had a disappointing 2022 season, finishing with a record of 81-81 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017. However, they made several key offseason acquisitions to bolster their roster, including outfielder Kris Bryant and starting pitcher Trevor Bauer.
Bryant, who signed a four-year, $100 million contract, brings a powerful bat and versatility to the Nationals’ lineup. In 2022, he hit .267 with 28 home runs and 71 RBI for the San Francisco Giants. Bauer, who signed a three-year, $85 million deal, is coming off a solid season in which he posted a 3.70 ERA and 224 strikeouts in 201 innings pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Despite these additions, the Nationals’ success will largely depend on the performance of their core players, including shortstop Trea Turner, outfielder Juan Soto, and starting pitcher Patrick Corbin. Turner had a breakout year in 2022, hitting .315 with 27 home runs, 103 runs scored, and 31 stolen bases. Soto, meanwhile, continued to establish himself as one of the best young players in baseball, hitting .311 with 35 home runs and 119 RBI. Corbin struggled in 2022, finishing with a 4.50 ERA in 169 innings pitched, but has the potential to bounce back and be a key contributor for the Nationals in 2023.
When it comes to the matchup between the Braves and Nationals, fans can expect a high-scoring affair with plenty of star power on both sides. The Braves’ offense, led by Acuna Jr. and Freeman, will look to continue their dominance against a Nationals pitching staff that struggled at times in 2022. The Nationals, meanwhile, will look to get their offense going against a tough Braves pitching staff led by Fried and Smith.
One key matchup to watch will be between Acuna Jr. and Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg, who missed much of the 2022 season due to injury, is one of the best pitchers in baseball when healthy. In 2019, he finished with a 3.32 ERA and 251 strikeouts in 209 innings pitched.
