The Washington Nationals have picked up pace after a slow start to the season and have won four of their last five games coming into the opener of a three game set against the Atlanta Braves. The Braves are coming in with decent momentum as well to after a pair of wins against the Phillies and I think this will be a closer game than the books seem to expect.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Nats will hand the ball to Gio Gonzalez (2-2, 3.86 ERA) who's coming off seven scoreless innings against the Mets in New York, but he had allowed six runs on 10 hits over just five innings at Miami his last start prior. He's a rather inconsistent pitcher and could be in for another stinker here as he's compiled a 5.20 ERA lifetime against the Braves. Atlanta will counter with Eric Stults (1-2, 4.91 ERA) who has allowed three runs or less in three of his five starts on the year. His lone road starts so far this season was a solid one when he gave up one run on four hits over six innings at Citi Field and he held the Nats to just two runs on four hits over 6 1/3 innings to earn his only victory of the season on April 27.

2. Gonzalez vs. Atlanta - The current Braves roster has a combined batting average of .295 against Gonzalez. The Nats have lost each of Gonzalez's last eight starts against Atlanta.

3. X-Factor - Freddie Freeman is 7-for-24 with nine RBIs and two homers against Gonzalez over previous meetings.

Selection: This is a play on the Atlanta Braves +1.5 (8*)