Washington Nationals’ lineup for the 1st of 3 with the Atlanta Braves in Truist Park…

Will the Nationals stop their four-game slide in the first of three with the Braves in Truist Park?

Following the Washington Nationals’ fourth straight loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in the series finale of their matchup in the nation’s capital on Thursday, skipper Davey Martinez said he knows his club will continue fighting down the stretch, and he pointed to what he thought went well for the home team in the game.

“We got to keep battling,” Martinez said. “I told the boys keep your heads up. Good things will happen. Just keep playing hard and good things will happen.

“But I’m seeing some positives. We got to work on a bunch of different things. But I’m seeing a lot of positives.

“Luis [García] again,” he continued. “[Carter] Kieboom swinging the bat better. [Yadiel Hernández] is swinging the bat good. And our two big boys, they’re playing hard.

“Juan [Soto] makes an unbelievable play in right field, robs a home run, come up with a big double there in the bottom of the ninth, we just got to continue to play.”

Unfortunately, as Martinez explained after the game, Soto tweaked something when he got turned around on a Josh Bell grounder up the middle that bounced off of the second base bag.

Soto retreated to the bag, before the odd hop off the base, and before Didi Gregorius tried to get an out at first and threw one in the camera well behind first base. Soto spun around and headed to third, and was waved in after the ball left the field of play.

Soto limped as he approached the plate, however, and walked slowly back to the dugout, catching the attention of the MASN crew.

After the game, Martinez confirmed that the 22-year-old slugger felt something.

“It was a weird play. He said he felt something in his knee. He’s getting checked out as we speak, I’ll know more tomorrow.”

Would Soto be able to play tonight?

Martinez said before tonight’s game that Soto was out testing the right knee and they’d make a decision after that.”

“I’m 50/50 right now, I really am. I mean, unless he comes in and say he feels great we might do something else.”

They did something else…

HERE’S THE NATIONALS’ LINEUP FOR THE OPENER WITH THE BRAVES: