This entry was written by DCist contributor Benjamin Kabak.

After taking two of three from the Philadelphia Phillies this week, the Nationals return to the confines of RFK Stadium to face the division-rival Atlanta Braves in a three-game series this weekend. If the weather holds up, that is.

Thursday’s 10-4 drubbing of the Phillies capped off a successful week for the Nats as Frank Robinson became just the 52nd manager to reach the 1000-win plateau. Against the Phillies this week, the Nats scored 26 runs. Led by Nick Johnson, this team showed they could hit, and they’ve now won four of their last five games.

Now comes the Nationals’ first key series of the season. The Braves currently sit at 8-8, two games better than the Nats. While Atlanta struggled early, their starting pitchers have allowed just 14 runs over the last six games.

Tonight, two Johns face off against each other in a 7:05 p.m. game. Braves’ ace John Smoltz will face Nationals’ ace John Patterson. Both pitchers are coming off of their best efforts of the season. Smoltz threw a complete game shut-out at the Padres on Saturday, while Patterson held the Marlins to three hits while striking out 13.

Tomorrow’s evening contest features John Thomson and Russ Ortiz, and the match-up seems to favor the Braves. While winless, Thomson with a 1.23 ERA, has been pitching lights-out baseball this year. Ortiz, on the other hand, has given up 13 runs in 16 innings.

In Sunday’s game, at 8:05 p.m. for the ESPN crowd, Kyle Davies, coming off of a complete-game, three-hitter against the Mets, faces Tony Armas who forced out a win in six innings against the Phillies.

So while pitching should be the story this weekend, rain may have a final say. According to the weekend forecast, the D.C. area is in for a wet one — the first window for a game this weekend may not be until Sunday afternoon.