Washington Nationals Series Preview: Nats vs. Braves (9/3-9/6)

Mandatory Credit:

-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Wisler (5-5, 5.22 ERA) vs. Jordan Zimmermann (11-8, 3.45) – 7:05 PM ET, broadcast on MASN

Wisler, who was the key piece in the trade this April that sent Craig Kimbrel to the Padres, is coming off a bad month of August in terms of his control. In his last start against the Yankees on August 29, Wisler went six innings, gave up two runs on four hits, struck out, and walked four in a loss.

The 22-year-old has not won a game since July 26 against the Cardinals (six starts). During the month of August, Wisler went 0-4 with a 7.85 ERA in six starts. He has an opponents’ batting average of .301 this season, but hitters were hitting .342 this past month with eight home runs. Plus, when he pitches away from Turner Field, he has a 6.53 ERA in eight starts (2-4 record).

Wisler has made two starts against the Nationals this season and he is 1-1 in those games with a 3.86 ERA. That one win came at Turner Field back on July 1 when he gave up one hit over 5.1 inning, but walked six batters. Ian Desmond is 1-for-4 against him with a home run and two RBI’s.

As for Jordan Zimmermann, he did allow seven or more hits for the third straight outing, but he held the Miami Marlins to one run on seven hits, struck out four, and walked one on 106 pitches. After a long stretch without a win, Zimmermann has won three consecutive outings.

In fact, when you look at Zimmermann’s last few outings, he has given up one run in four of his last five starts. Plus, in the month of August, his strikeouts went up as he struck out 39 batters while walking only six over the course of 38.1 innings.

The 29-year-old right-hander is 2-0 in four starts against the Braves this season with a 1.88 ERA. In his career, he is 6-2 against Atlanta with a 2.59 ERA in 14 outings. Freddie Freeman is 9-for-24 with three doubles and three RBI’s against him.

Advantage: In addition to Wisler being bad on the road this season, Jordan Zimmermann has been good at home (6-3, 2.58 ERA in 15 starts). Against a Braves team that has struggled offensively, I like the Nats to come away with a win as they draw walks against Wisler and make him pay for those mistakes.

Next: Tomorrow's Matchup