The only name that really matters is Gio Gonzalez. His performance will most likely dictate the outcome of this game. Gio should be fresh after only throwing 62 pitches in 1.0 official inning six days ago. It was a disastrous start that followed a great comeback win against these Phillies past Sunday. Lately, the Nationals have not been able to piece together consecutive wins which they need to do sooner than later. As they say, a winning streak begins with a win, and there is no better time to do that than now.
With the off-day on Wednesday, the Washington Nationals had a chance to pitch Max Scherzer today on regular rest and give Gio two extra rest days. That would have given the Nats the virtual lock against the Phillies who are pitching their struggling anointed ace Jake Arrieta. It is what it is and you just hope the Nats brain trust has this all figured out.
As the calendar has officially turned to July, Gonzalez turns the page on his June earned run average of 8.44. That unfortunately is not a misprint. The Nationals also turn the page on their worst calendar month since 2010.
Do you want some good news? Anthony Rendon is en fuego. Even his outs seem to be hard luck.
Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Stadium: Citizen’s Bank Ballpark, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1st Pitch: 1:35 pm EDT
TV: MASN2; MLB App out-of-market
Nats Radio: 106.7 The Fan and via the MLB app
Line-ups subject to change without notice:
