Haren Faces Rockies' Potent Bats In Series Opener

You know how gasoline is normally flammable, but if you get just the right air-gasoline ratio, it can explode? I’m a little afraid that’s what tonight’s going to be.

Jun 5, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Dan Haren (15) throws during the second inning against the New York Mets at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

It looks like the perfect storm for the Nationals: Dan Haren (4-7, 5.45) leads the NL in homers allowed. Tonight’s game is being played in Coors Field, which is notorious for the numbers of home runs it allows. 69 home runs have been hit there this year, second most in the NL. The Rockies have hit the third most home runs in baseball. The logical conclusion is that Haren will get clobbered. However, there is hope. The Braves have hit the most home runs in baseball, but in Haren’s lone start against them, he pitched eight innings and allowed one run. Perhaps he will play up to his competition again tonight. In a similar vein, perhaps Coors Field will recharge the Nats’ bats. The team scored a total of 33 runs in their three most recent games there, and will face no Cy Young winner in Jhoulys Chacin (3-3, 4.59). Here are tonight’s lineups:

Washington

Denard Span CF

Roger Bernadina LF

Ryan Zimmerman 3B

Jayson Werth RF

Adam LaRoche 1B

Ian Desmond SS

Anthony Rendon 2B

Kurt Suzuki C

Haren RHP

Colorado

Dexter Fowler CF