Atlanta at Washington

Washington is 40-26 at home, is in first place by 8 1/2 games, and Gio Gonzalez is coming off two wins while allowing three runs and six hits in 12 innings. Gonzalez was 4-0 in August, and he has a .200 opponent batting average in 11 2/3 innings against Atlanta this season. Williams Perez is making his first start after coming off the disabled list. He gave up 10 runs, nine earned, and 12 hits his last two starts in only 10 innings pitched. Perez has a 6.43 ERA on the road this season and 4.62 overall. The Braves have lost eight of their last 10 against winning teams and 38 of their last 55 versus left-handed starters. Washington has won 26 of the last 32 meetings. Play the Nationals.