Series Preview: Nats

Nationals (8-7) vs Cardinals (8-8)

Busch Stadium : 3 Game Series

Boy how much a road trip to the west can completely change the picture. When we were getting ready for the D'Backs, the Birds offense was stagnant and in the bottom 5-10 of almost every offensive category. Now as we get ready for a bit of home cooking, we are atop the league in offense along with those pesky Reds. Sitting at 1st place in both team Batting Average and On Base Percentage, 2nd in Runs scored, and 4th in Slugging. The past 7 games have been the offensive explosion needed to kick-start this team. When leaving San Fran for Arizona, our Cardinals were sitting at a less than impressive 3-6 and are coming home at a much more respectable 8-8. The Nats are no slouch this year either, and are only sitting 2 games behind the Phillies for first place. On a bit of a winning streak, 3 straight over the Brew Crew and 7 of their past 10, Washington is starting to put some things together, even without their best players or their best prospects yet.

For a team on such a hot run, it is surprising to see all the change that is coming with this home-stand. The most obvious one is at the Closer spot, and even though it has been argued that Franklin can close games, the real question is should he be? And so far this season it has been a resounding No, and for once TLR has actually changed his ways early in the season. So who will it be? With many options I am really hoping for either Boggs or Sanchez to get the call in the ninth, but with a semi-injury and being young, my fear is that Tony will skip over them and go with the veteran Batista who has been a Closer before. More change comes with guys heading to the DL, both Skip and Craig have been sat down to heal and we are getting our first real look at both Nick Punto and Mark Hamilton. It will be nice to have a real bat off the bench after loosing Craig, and hopefully Punto can be the answer to the true Utility infielder we need.

Guys to Watch

Tyler Greene Shortstop

I have been told for a few years now that this guy has what it takes, that we need his bat in the lineup. Well, heres your chance to shine young fella. He doesnt really have the glove to play at Short, Im not entirely sure he has the glove to play Second either, but its not much worse than the current Middle Infield. We have also yet to see this bat of his, but with a DL stint for Skip there are some at-bats for guys to take. They will likely be split up between Greene, Descalso, and Punto, but hopefully Greene can come out tonight and take hold of this spot. Showing us all that his potential hasnt been wasted, and maybe even creating a competition for playing time at Second.

Pitching Matchups

Game 1 - 7:15 pm

John Lannan (1-1 3.38 ERA) vs Jake Westbrook (1-1 7.63 ERA)

Lannan has been very good for the Nationals, and even better against the Cards never giving up more than 2 runs ( 2.36 ERA). And to do something like that, you have to shut down Albert, Lannan sure has dominated El Hombre. Westbrook looked not so good yet again against the D'Backs, and really needs to take advantage of this Zimmerman-less lineup to get it together. Although the back end of the rotation has been very good, Westbrook needs to be more than an innings eater, and he hasnt even done that.

Game 2 - 7:15 pm

Jordan Zimmerman (1-2 2.45 ERA) vs Jaime Garcia (2-0 1.35 ERA)

Zimmerman has been the Ace of the staff this year, going 6 - 5+ - 7 innings never giving up more than 2 runs, and only 3 walks on the year (all in his first start). But the offense has given him next to nothing in Run Support. With only 2 appearances against St. Louis its not much to go on, but in those he is giving up over a run per inning. The Red Birds have also launched 4 HRs and are hitting nearly .350 against him. Jaime has been nothing short of spectacular, and he should keep on rolling against this lineup. He didnt have his best outing in LA, but still got a W only giving up 2 Earned Runs, and even during his Loss he only gave up a single run. Jaime has only faced the Nationals once before, and while only going 5+ and giving up 8 hits, he still stuck out 7 and didnt give up a run.

Game 3 - 1:45 pm

Tom Gorzelanny (0-1 5.56 ERA) vs Kyle Lohse (2-1 2.82 ERA)

Between his stints in Chicago and Pittsburgh, the Csrds lineup has already seen their fair share of Gorselanny, and none of it has been very good for him. Giving up his 4th highest ERA to any one team at a 7.52 clip and hitting nearly .300 against him in 4 games. Lohse one the other hand has enjoyed a resurgence so far this year, and has rewarded The Brain Trust's faith in him and Dunc. Going atleast 7 innings in every start this year, and has only walked 2 guys in those three games helping that 0.85 WHIP. In the past three seasons against Washington he hasnt been terrible, but hasnt been great, giving up a 3.91 ERA. But just like this year he has only walked 2 guys in 4 starts against the Nats