GO GIO GO

Gio Gonzalez can become the first player in Nationals history to win 20 games with a win on Sunday. Gonzalez has enjoyed his transition to the National League and has allowed just 1 earned run in his last three starts which span 22 innings. The former Oakland starter has allowed just 9 runs in his last four road starts. This will be his fourth start against Atlanta and his third on the road against them. He has allowed just 9 runs and 13 hits in those three starts with two of those games going in Washington’s favor. The last time Gonzalez faced Atlanta was on July 1st when he gave up 4 runs and five hits in five innings. He will need to keep the walks down if he hopes to pull out a win on Sunday night.

MINOR MIRACLE

Mike Minor is 8-10 with a 4.42 ERA for Atlanta this season. He started out the year on a rough patch, but he has turned things around nicely. Minor has allowed 3 earned runs or less in nine of his last ten starts. He has struck out 15 batters in his last two starts coming against Milwaukee and Colorado. This will be his third home start against the Nationals this season with the previous two games also coming at home. Those were rough outings for Minor as he allowed 4 runs in five innings in both games. Minor has coincidentally allowed 4 runs in each of his last three home starts against Washington.

INJURY REPORT

Stephen Strasburg has been out since September 7th when the Nationals decided to shut him down for the rest of the season. The righty had been rocked by the Marlins when the team said his season was done. Washington is also without Henry Rodriguez and Wilson Ramos. Michael Morse is not at 100% and his status for Sunday night is questionable due to a wrist injury. Atlanta has a relatively clean bill of health; they are still without Brandon Beachy, Ben Sheets, and Jair Jurrjens but they’ve managed to survive those injuries because pitchers like Minor have been a lot better.

TRENDS

Nationals are 13-3 in Gonzalez's last 16 road starts Nationals are 4-0 in Gonzalez's last four road starts vs. a team with a winning record Braves are 5-2 in their last 7 Sunday games Braves are 2-5 in Minor's last seven starts

HITTERS TO WATCH

Ryan Zimmerman 2-for-11 vs. Minor Danny Espinosa 3-for-11 vs. Minor Jason Heyward 3-for-9 vs. Gonzalez Martin Prado 1-for-9 vs. Gonzalez

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