The Washington Nationals welcome the Atlanta Braves to Nationals Park on Tuesday, September 1, with first pitch set for 6:45 PM ET. Jake Irvin gets the ball for Washington against Atlanta's AJ Smith-Shawver in what figures to be a pivotal late-season matchup between a Nationals club built around young talent and a Braves lineup that features some of the most recognizable names in the National League. If you're not in the seats, catch the action on Nationals.TV or on radio at 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan.

Pitching Matchup: Jake Irvin vs. AJ Smith-Shawver

Jake Irvin draws the start for the Nationals in what has become a reliable role for the right-hander in the Washington rotation. Irvin has shown the ability to eat innings and give this young club a chance to win, and a home start at Nationals Park is as good a setting as any for him to do that work.

Opposing him is AJ Smith-Shawver, Atlanta's young arm who has been working his way through a Braves pitching staff navigating its own development questions. Smith-Shawver has the stuff to keep lineups off-balance, and Washington's hitters will need to be disciplined early to get into the Atlanta bullpen.

Washington Nationals Starting Lineup

• 1. CJ Abrams — SS
• 2. Dylan Crews — RF
• 3. Brady House — 3B
• 4. Daylen Lile — LF
• 5. Yohandy Morales — DH
• 6. Abimelec Ortiz — 1B
• 7. Harry Ford — C
• 8. Jorbit Vivas — 2B
• 9. Jacob Young — CF

This is a lineup built from within. CJ Abrams sets the table at the top, with Dylan Crews right behind him in the two-hole — a pairing that gives Washington legitimate speed and on-base ability at the front of the order. Brady House slots in at third, and Daylen Lile gets the cleanup spot, a signal of the trust the organization has placed in its young core as the season winds down.

Atlanta Braves Starting Lineup

• 1. Drake Baldwin — C
• 2. Ronald Acuña Jr. — RF
• 3. Matt Olson — 1B
• 4. Michael Harris II — CF
• 5. Mauricio Dubón — 2B
• 6. Ozzie Albies — DH
• 7. Austin Riley — 3B
• 8. Brewer Hicklen — LF
• 9. Ha-Seong Kim — SS

Atlanta brings a loaded middle of the order to Nationals Park. Ronald Acuña Jr. batting second behind Drake Baldwin is a genuine threat every time he steps in the box, and Matt Olson and Michael Harris II give the Braves the kind of run-producing depth that can put a game away in a hurry. Irvin will need to work carefully through that stretch of the lineup.

Keys to Watch

• Irvin vs. the Braves' middle of the order: How Irvin handles Acuña, Olson, and Harris will go a long way toward determining Washington's chances. Getting through the heart of that lineup without major damage is the assignment.
• Abrams and Crews on base: If the top of Washington's order is getting on and creating havoc, this offense can generate runs. CJ Abrams' speed changes the game when he reaches.
• Smith-Shawver's command: The young Atlanta starter can be hittable when he loses the strike zone. Washington's lineup needs to work counts and make him throw pitches early in the game.
• Harry Ford behind the dish: The young catcher's game-calling and his ability to work with Irvin through a tough lineup will be worth watching.

Prediction

This is a tough draw for Washington. The Braves' lineup — anchored by Acuña, Olson, and Riley — carries significant firepower, and Irvin will be tested. That said, Nationals Park is a good environment for this young Nationals group, and if Irvin can keep Atlanta's big bats in check through five or six innings, Washington's lineup has enough pieces to make Smith-Shawver work. Expect a competitive game, but give the edge to Atlanta on the strength of their lineup depth. Braves 5, Nationals 3.