* Probable starting pitchers: Today --- RH Derek Lowe (1-0, 2.81 ERA), Braves vs. RH Jordan Zimmerman (major league debut), Nationals; Tuesday --- RH Kenshin Kawakami (1-1, 5.25), Braves vs. RH Shairon Martis (1-0, 4.82), Nationals; Wednesday --- RH Jair Jurrjens (2-1, 2.04), Braves vs. LH John Lannan (0-2, 6.46), Nationals

* Who's hot: Braves RF Jeff Francoeur is 12-for-27 (.444) with three doubles and six RBIs in his past seven games, including five multi-hit games. ... Nationals CF Elijah Dukes was 9-for-26 (.346) with three doubles, two homers and six RBIs in his six games before Sunday, including 5-for-11 in two games vs. the Braves .

* Notable: Lowe is 7-1 with a 1.58 ERA in 13 starts since Aug. 11. He had not given up more than two runs or six hits in 11 starts before allowing four runs and seven hits in five innings Wednesday against the Marlins (no decision). He's 4-0 with a 0.61 ERA in his past five road starts. ... After Sunday's loss 7-4 loss to Florida, the Nationals have lost 19 of 21 games dating to last season. The Braves hit .343 in a sweep against them April 10-12. ... Chipper Jones has hit .344 with four homers and six RBI in eight games at Nationals Park.

* Today's matchup: Lowe is 5-1 with a 2.45 ERA in seven starts against the Nationals, including no decision on April 10 when he gave up one run and four hits in three innings before a 2-hour rain delay. ... Zimmerman is the Nationals' version of Tommy Hanson. He's their No. 1 prospect, and this is his major league debut. He struck out 134 batters in 134 innings last season in high Class A and AA.