The Atlanta Braves look to keep their dwindling playoff hopes alive Monday as they begin a three-game series against the Washington Nationals at Turner Field. The Braves have watched the San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates pull away with the National League's two wild card spots over the past few days, and could badly use a strong showing against the NL East leaders.
Monday MLB viewing guide: Braves try to stay alive vs. Nationals
The opener to a big series between the Braves and Nationals highlights a solid slate of games for Monday night.
Patrick Smith
Ervin Santana will take the mound for the Braves looking to rebound from a shaky start against the Nationals last Tuesday. He faces off against Stephen Strasburg, who pitched fairly well in his start against Atlanta last week despite the Braves salvaging a 6-2 win to avoid the series sweep.
The Braves are now three games back of Pittsburgh for the second wild card spot in the NL, and can’t afford to lose much more ground. The team’s last hope at reaching the playoffs may come during a four-game series with the Pirates from Sept. 22-25.
Monday’s MLB schedule
| Time (ET) | Game | TV | Reason to watch |
7:05 p.m. | Blue Jays at Orioles | MASN2, Rogers Sportsnet | Toronto starter Marcus Stroman shut out the Cubs in his last appearance |
| 7:10 p.m. | Nationals at Braves | MASN, FOX Sports South | The Nationals could put a serious dent in their division rivals' playoff hopes starting Monday |
| 7:10 p.m | Yankees at Rays | Sun Sports, YES Network | Jake Odorizzi looks to end his struggles (7.71 ERA in 14 IP) against New York this year |
| 7:10 p.m. | Marlins at Mets | FOX Sports Florida, SNY | Jarred Cosart has a 1.93 ERA in seven starts since being traded to Miami |
| 8:05 p.m. | Reds at Cubs | FOX Sports Ohio, CSN+ | Billy Hamilton has batted .371/.435/.581 with 23 hits and nine stolen bases in 16 games vs. the Cubs this season |
| 8:10 p.m. | White Sox at Royals | FOX Sports Kansas City, CSN | James Shields: 22.1 IP, 18 K, 2 BB, one run allowed in past four starts |
| 8:10 p.m. | Tigers at Twins | FOX Sports North, FOX Sports Detroit | The Tigers need to keep their distance from Kansas City in the AL Central |
| 8:10 p.m. | Indians at Astros | SportsTime Ohio, CSN | Michael Brantley has a .481 OBP in 13 games this month |
| 8:40 p.m. | Dodgers at Rockies | SportsNet LA, ROOT Sports | L.A. looks to strengthen its grip on the NL West with some easy wins in Colorado |
| 9:40 p.m. | Giants at Diamondbacks | CSN Bay Area, FOX Sports Arizona | The Giants are just a game back of the Dodgers |
| 10:05 p.m. | Mariners at Angels | ROOT Sports, FOX Sports West | Matt Shoemaker is 8-1 with a 1.53 ERA, 47 strikeouts and nine walks over his past 10 appearances (nine starts) |
| 10:10 p.m. | Phillies at Padres | CSN, FOX Sports San Diego | Andrew Cashner's ERA has never gone above 2.50 this season |
- We 100 percent support this endeavor by Jose Abreu.
- Cuban outfielder Yasmani Tomas has apparently looked at the lucrative deals signed by other players from his native country and decided he should get paid more than any of them. $100 million is the rumor, to be exact.
- The Reds will likely have to weather the remainder of the season without Mat Latos, who is sidelined by a bone bruise.
Jose Abreu told me his goal is to master the English language and sing the National anthem before a White Sox game.
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) September 14, 2014 See More:
