Jun 30, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Miguel Gonzalez (50) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Zimmermann (7-5, 3.04) vs. Miguel Gonzalez (7-5, 3.87) – 7:15 PM ET, FOX
Earlier this morning, Zimmermann’s wife, Mandy, gave birth to their daughter, Ava Kristeen:
Congrats to #Nats RHP Jordan Zimmermann and his wife, Mandy, who welcomed baby girl Ava Kristeen! #NatsBabies #RallyBaby
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 10, 2015
Over his last three starts, Zimmermann has been dominant for the Nats. Last Sunday, against the San Francisco Giants, the 29-year-old went seven innings, gave up one run on three hits, struck out eight, and walked one. In his last four starts, he has pitched into the seventh inning or later and has given up a combined total of four runs.
While Zimmermann has walked 20 batters this season, it seems that his control is back. He has walked a total of two batters in his last four starts. However, he has had problems pitching on the road this season. The right-hander is 3-2 with a 4.35 ERA in seven starts away from Nats Park this season (4-3, 2.27 ERA in ten home starts)
In five starts against the O’s in his career, Zimmermann is 1-3 with a 4.13 ERA. His only win against Baltimore came back in 2011. Steve Pearce (.232, 6 HR, 23 RBI’s) is 3-for-7 against Zimmermann with two doubles and a home run.
When you look at Miguel Gonzalez, the other 31-year-old starter in this matchup, he had a quality start in his last outing. On July 5 against the Chicago White Sox, he went six innings, gave up one run on four hits, struck out three, and walked one to record his seventh win of the season.
Even though Gonzalez has won seven games this year, he is not a pitcher who is going to strike many hitters out (6.8 strikeouts per nine innings). In addition, he has given up seven home runs in his last five starts and had given up ten earned runs in the two starts prior to his last one against Chicago. Gonzalez is 3-1 with a 3.25 ERA in seven starts at home this season (4-4, 4.50 on the road). He has never faced the Nats in his career, but Yunel Escobar is 4-for-19 against the right-hander with a RBI.
Advantage: With the Nats shorthanded in their lineup, it will be interesting to see how they fare against a pitcher they are seeing for the first time. While Zimmermann has been great lately for the Nats, his lifetime record against Baltimore doesn’t suggest that he will be dominant this time around. Based on the Nats lack of familiarity with Gonzalez, I am going to pick the O’s to win this one in a close game.
Next: Sunday's Matchup