Jul 20, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Gio Gonzalez (7-4, 3.93) vs. A.J. Burnett (8-3, 2.44) – 7:05 PM ET, MASN2
Over his last four starts, Gio Gonzalez has been consistent for the Nationals. He has given up two runs or fewer in each of those games. He went up against Matt Harvey Monday night and was able to get the better of him. He went six innings, gave up two runs on six hits, struck out four, and walked three on 107 pitches.
Gonzalez had one bad inning in the fourth when he allowed a two-run single to Harvey, but he was able to shut down an offense that has struggled as of late. Nevertheless, he still has a 1.89 ERA in three July starts and has induced 13 ground ball outs in each of his last two outings.
He faced the Pirates one this season on June 21 and got a little help from his offense. The Nationals scored nine runs in the first inning against Charlie Morton en route to a 9-2 win, but the left-hander gave up no runs on four hits, struck out four, and walked two in seven innings of work.
Gonzalez is 3-0 with a 2.95 ERA in six career outings against Pittsburgh. Starling Marte is 3-for-12 against the 29-year-old left-hander with a home run and two RBI’s.
As for A.J. Burnett, he will come into this start Saturday night after having arguably his worst start of the season. On July 20, against the Royals, Burnett gave up six runs (season-high) on 11 hits in six innings of work, but his offense bailed him out and he got the win.
It has been a good season for the 38-year-old All-Star right-hander. He has not lost a start in his last five outings. His last loss came against the Nationals on June 19 when he was up against Joe Ross. In that outing, he went 6.2 innings, gave up four runs (three earned runs) on 14 hits, struck out seven, and walked one.
He has given the Pirates length this season as he is seventh in the National League in innings pitched and has gone more than five innings in each of his last eight starts. He is 12-6 against the Nats with a 3.23 ERA in 24 games, but he has given up 17 runs in the last 42 innings against Washington. Danny Espinosa is 5-for-21 against Burnett with a double, triple, and four RBI’s.
Advantage: A.J. Burnett didn’t pitch well in his last start, but he was able to pick up the victory. That being said, you have to feel more confident with the way Gonzalez has been pitching lately as well as his career success against the Pirates gives him the edge in this game.
Next: Sunday's Matchup