Wire Taps: Joe Ross for Nationals in finale vs Braves; Max Scherzer update; Sean Doolittle and his big night in SunTrust...

One more with the Braves tonight in Atlanta. Will Washington get a series win or settle for a split. Hey, look! It’s Joe Ross back in the big leagues and starting for the Nationals tonight. Is the tweak to his mechanics he made recently going to make a difference? Are you ready for some ESPN Sunday Night Baseball action from SunTrust? Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Doo as Doo does:

A day after 'pen misfire, Doolittle seals win - (MLB.com)
"Sean Doolittle had not pitched in a game for more than a week. The night prior he was left standing on the bullpen mound in left field while the Braves celebrated a walk-off, ninth-inning victory."

This time, Sean Doolittle gets the call — and delivers for Nats - (WaPost)
"But to seize an opportunity and chase the Braves head-on, this matchup was important for a number of reasons."

Doolittle gets five outs to preserve Nats' tense win (updated) - (MASN)
"Davey Martinez wasn’t willing to use Sean Doolittle in the ninth inning Friday night. He was willing to use his closer in the eighth inning tonight."

Sunday starter:

Nationals have three moves to make as pitching staff shuffle continues - (WaPost)
"Before the Washington Nationals face the Atlanta Braves at 7:05 p.m. on Sunday, in the finale of a four-game series, they face roster decisions."

Voth's start in question, Scherzer throws pain-free - (MASN)
"Since it became clear [Max] Scherzer wouldn’t be ready to return from his back injury in time to face the Braves this weekend, [Austin] Voth has appeared to be the logical candidate to start..."

Scherzer throws from mound, nearing return - (MLB.com)
"Max Scherzer’s back felt much better Saturday afternoon, so good that he arrived at SunTrust Park and threw 15 pitches off a mound..."

Max Scherzer ‘felt great’ after throwing 15 pitches off mound, Dave Martinez says - (WaPost)
"Max Scherzer threw 15 pitches in the bullpen at SunTrust Park on Saturday and told Washington Nationals Manager Dave Martinez afterward that he felt 'great.'"

Trade Rumors:

Nats eye controllable relievers at Deadline - (MLB.com)
”At least one team has asked for shortstop Carter Kieboom, the Nats’ top prospect and the No. 20 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, but Washington has balked at including Kieboom in any deal, per a source.”

MUST SEE TV:

Nats-Braves games have become must-see TV - (MASN)
"With only one exception - Thursday’s blowout win by Washington - these have all been tense, grind-it-out, down-to-the-wire games."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Here's the Richest Resident in Maryland – (Maryland Matters)
"Maryland’s richest resident is developer Ted Lerner and family, worth $5.1 billion, according to Forbes."

NL EAST UPDATES:

What’s up with Zach Eflin and is it wise for the Phillies to keep pitching him? - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"The state of the Phillies’ starting pitching continues to get more and more suspect with each passing day."

Mets confident in Zack Wheeler's trade value as return nears - (NY Post)
"A club source indicated there is belief within the organization that despite the injury setback, the Mets can still get a solid return for Wheeler — who is eligible for free agency after the season."

The Marlins rallied late against the Dodgers — and then gave the game away minutes later - (Miami Herald)
"Welcome to the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium, where the Miami Marlins’ rally unfolded — and quickly faded away — on Saturday night."

Braves, Soroka lose to Nats, seek to salvage a split Sunday - (AJC.com)
"An infield single by the pitcher. A throwing error. An extra-base hit. An unlikely bounce. Consecutive liners to right field. A 1-1 tie spiraling into a 4-1 deficit."

Max Scherzer ‘felt great’ after throwing 15 pitches off mound, Dave Martinez says - (WaPost)
"Max Scherzer threw 15 pitches in the bullpen at SunTrust Park on Saturday and told Washington Nationals Manager Dave Martinez afterward that he felt 'great.'"