Washington Nationals Series Preview: Nats Vs. Brewers (8/21-8/23)

Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Taylor Jungmann (7-4, 2.23) vs. Joe Ross (3-5, 3.86) – 7:05 PM ET, MASN2

Earlier, I talked about Jimmy Nelson being the Brewers’ starter that leads the team in every pitching category, but the pitcher to watch in their rotation going for is Jungmann. The 25-year-old is 3-3 with a 2.34 ERA in his last six starts and has given up nine runs in his last 34.2 innings of work. In his last start against the Phillies on August 16, Jungmann went 6.1 innings, gave up no runs on three hits, struck out nine (a season-high) and walked two.

Since joining the rotation on June 3, Jungmann has given up two runs or fewer in 12 of his 13 starts. While he has had command issues this season (26 walks and 11 walks in his last five games), he has held opponents to a .221 batting average and has given up only two home runs.

Back on June 14, in his second start, Jungmann held his own against Max Scherzer, but was not able to get the win. He went five innings, gave up two runs on seven hits, struck out five, and walked two in the 4-0 loss. The only two Nats’ hitters to drive in runs that day were Jose Lobaton (RBI single) and Anthony Rendon (sacrifice fly).

Since re-joining the rotation, Joe Ross has not looked as sharp with his command as he did earlier in the season. Even though he was dominant last Sunday in the first three innings against the Giants, he was only able to complete four innings. The 22-year-old right-hander gave up four runs on six hits, struck out six, and walked one in the loss.

In his last two starts, Ross has failed to make it through five innings in a game, which puts a lot of innings on the bullpen. He has nine walks all season, but five of them have come in the last two games. In his last 8.2 innings, he has given up nine runs on 12 hits.

That being said, Ross has been good at home this season, so maybe a return back to the East Coast might help him in this situation. He is 2-2 in four home starts with a 2.56 ERA and has walked only one batter to go with 26 strikeouts. In that start against the Brewers on June 13, Ross went eight innings, gave up two runs on seven hits, struck out eight, and walked one during his first Major League win. Second baseman Scooter Gennett (.257, 5 HR, 22 RBI’s) went 2-for-3 against him with a RBI.

Advantage: In the battle of two young rookies, the Nationals will have their work cut out for them against Jungmann, but Ross is due for another quality outing. Again, I expect this game to be close and low scoring, but the additions of Zimmermann and Werth, unlike the previous series in Milwaukee, should pay some dividends here and get the Nationals a win.

Next: Sunday's Matchup