Washington Nationals vs Philadelphia Phillies Series Preview (4/15-4/17)

Gio Gonzalez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs Charlie Morton (1-1, 5.23 ERA): 1:30 PM ET on MASN

Charlie Morton has been in the league since 2008, and pitched for Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and now Philadelphia. Nationals fans might remember him as the opposing pitcher for the Pirates in Stephen Strasburg‘s infamous debut.

He’s had decent success in his nine-year career but slowed down the past two season. After a 3.26 ERA in 2013 for the Pirates, he sputtered to a 3.72 and 4.81 in 2014 and 2015 respectively. The Phillies traded for him during the offseason for minor league pitcher David Whitehead.

He slots in as another veteran presence among a rotation of young arms. Since this season is more about individual performances of young prospects for Philadelphia instead of wins, he makes sense. His first start of 2016 was mediocre as he gave up six earned runs in 3.2 innings against the Reds.

However, he recovered in his second start just like the rest of the Phillies’ rotation. He shut out the Padres in 6.2 innings and gave up only three hits on 100 pitches in a win on Tuesday. That may be the best start of the year, though, as the Padres have already been shut out five times this year, including Morton’s start.

Morton is 2-4 with a 7.18 ERA in seven career starts against the Nats, including giving up nine runs in 2/3 of an inning last year. Jayson Werth is 4-for-12 against him with a home run and five RBI’s.

For the Nationals, Gio Gonzalez needs to focus on a low pitch count and continued focus and improved control on the mound. He showed dramatic jumps in those areas against the Braves this past Tuesday. He gave up just three hits in six innings pitched and walked just one on 94 pitches in a no-decision in his first start of the year.

Next: Reaction: Strasburg Once Again Shows Dominance

Against the Phillies last season, the left-hander was 2-1 with a 2.92 ERA in four starts, but five of the eight runs he gave up were at Citizens Bank Park. Darin Ruf is 8-for-23 (.348) against Gonzalez with three home runs, nine RBI’s, and eight walks.

Prediction: If Gonzalez shows more improvement, that’s a great omen for this game as well as the rest of this season. The rotation would get a huge lift from a strong Gonzalez securing the back end. Again, the Nats offense just needs to score a couple runs against Morton and force the bullpen to arrive. I’m leaning towards yet another sweep.