Braves RHP Foltynewicz makes personal postseason push

Atlanta Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz will take another turn on the mound Saturday in a late push to earn a spot in the team's postseason starting rotation.

Foltynewicz (6-5, 5.00) will be opposed by Washington Nationals right-hander Austin Voth (1-1, 4.00) in the second game of a three-game series at Nationals Park in Washington.

The Braves (92-57) won the opener 5-0 on Friday when Mike Soroka and three relievers combined for the shutout. The victory lowered Atlanta's magic number to six and increased their lead over Washington in the National League East to 9 1/2 games. Washington (81-65) holds a 2 1/2-game lead in the race for the first wild-card spot.

"Our schedule is not that easy coming down here in the stretch," Washington pitcher Patrick Corbin said. "We know what we are and where we are in the standings and we've got to continue to come every day and try to win."

Foltynewicz will make his 13th career start against the Nationals; he's 5-4 with a 4.86 ERA. In his only appearance against the Nationals this year, he was battered for eight runs on eight hits in four innings on June 22. He was sent to Triple-A Gwinnett the next day and spent the next six weeks there before being recalled on Aug. 6.

Foltynewicz has pitched well since returning from the minors. This will be his eighth start since returning and he's gone 4-0 with a 2.95 ERA in 39 2/3 innings. In two starts in September, Foltynewicz is 2-0 and has allowed only one run over 12 innings.

Voth takes another turn in the rotation. He faced the Braves on Sept. 7 and took the loss, despite allowing only two runs through four innings, striking out six. In two starts against Atlanta this season, Voth has combined for 10 innings, four runs and seven hits, but has been jolted for four home runs.

While Atlanta's Ronald Acuna Jr. has grabbed most of the attention the last two seasons -- he was the National League's Rookie of the Year in 2018 and is on the verge of a 40-homer 40-steal season in 2019 -- Ozzie Albies is completing his second outstanding season.

A native of Curacao and Acuna's best buddy, Albies on Thursday became the 11th player in history to reach 40 doubles and 20 homers in each of his first two full major league seasons. Albies has 40 doubles and 23 homers after getting 40 and 24 in 2018. Among those who have accomplished the feat are Ted Williams, Albert Pujols and Ryan Zimmerman.

But the Braves got some bad news when infielder Johan Camargo had to be placed on the injured list with a fractured left shin. Camargo fouled a pitch off his leg on Wednesday. It was originally thought to be a contusion, but an X-ray revealed the fracture.

The Braves are also being cautious with a sore right elbow that forced first baseman Freddie Freeman to leave Friday's game in the fourth inning. Freeman jammed his elbow when he dove for a grounder in the third inning.

"It's day to day," Freeman said. "Just expect me to be probably be in there (Saturday)."

Freeman has started all but four games since the start of the 2018 season.

--Field Level Media