The Washington Nationals (64‑92) face the Atlanta Braves (73‑83) tonight at Truist Park for their final road series of the 2025 season.
Both clubs have long been eliminated from playoff contention and are simply looking to close out the year with momentum.
Atlanta turns to veteran left-hander Chris Sale, who has put together another stellar campaign. Sale enters with a 5-5 record and 2.35 ERA, and he’s been even sharper since returning from a midseason ribcage injury.
Over his last seven starts, he owns a 1.33 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 47.1 innings. The Braves hold an $18 million club option on him for 2026, and given his back-to-back sub-2.40 ERA seasons, that option looks like a bargain. Sale was dominant in his last outing against Washington, spinning eight scoreless frames of three-hit ball with nine strikeouts.
MacKenzie Gore gets the start for the Nationals. His 2025 season has been one of extremes. He went 4-8 with a 3.02 ERA before the All-Star break — good enough to earn an NL All-Star nod — but stumbled in the second half with a 6.27 ERA.
After a trip to the IL in late August due to shoulder inflammation, he’s looked steadier, allowing just two runs across 10.1 innings in two starts, including 5.1 scoreless innings against these Braves.
Control remains a concern, as he walked three in that game, and his shorter outings mean the Washington bullpen will likely play a big role tonight.
Prediction
Sale’s consistency and strikeout stuff should give Atlanta the edge, though Gore’s recent form suggests another close, low-scoring contest.
Prediction: Braves 3, Nationals 2
Starting Lineups
Washington Nationals
1. Nasim Nuñez — SS
2. CJ Abrams — DH
3. Andrés Chaparro — 1B
4. Riley Adams — C
5. Dylan Crews — RF
6. Paul DeJong — 2B
7. Brady House — 3B
8. Jacob Young — CF
9. Robert Hassell III — LF
Starting Pitcher: MacKenzie Gore (LHP) — 5‑14, 4.00 ERA
Atlanta Braves
1. Jurickson Profar — LF
2. Matt Olson — 1B
3. Ronald Acuña Jr. — RF
4. Ozzie Albies — 2B
5. Ha‑Seong Kim — SS
6. Drake Baldwin — C
7. Marcell Ozuna — DH
8. Michael Harris II — CF
9. Nacho Alvarez Jr. — 3B
Starting Pitcher: Chris Sale (LHP) — 5‑5, 2.35 ERA
How to Watch Nationals vs. Braves
First pitch for tonight’s game between the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves is set for 7:15 PM Eastern at Truist Park in Atlanta.
The game airs live on MLB Network nationally for out-of-market viewers, who can also stream the game on MLB.TV. Local viewers can catch the game on MASN, FanDuel Sports Network South, and FanDuel Sports Network Southeast.
Looking to catch the game for free? MLB Network is available via streaming on DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV, all of which offer free trials.
Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves
Date: Monday, September 22, 2025
First Pitch: 7:15 PM Eastern
Venue: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
TV: MLB Network (out‑of‑market), MASN, FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network Southeast
Streaming: MLB.TV